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| Citizen Rights | | |
Rights without knowledge are of no use and it’s important to make citizens aware of their rights.
Addressing the North Zone Regional Conference of National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) in Srinagar, Chief Justice of India B R Gavai said that there was a need to undo the aberrations of the past and restore the old Kashmir where all communities lived in harmony.
He called upon the judges and lawyers to together ensure justice for the last citizen of the country. He reiterated that unless people have the knowledge of their rights, the rights are of no use.
Justice, to be meaningful, must be accessible. The judiciary, legal practitioners, and civil society must work in tandem to spread awareness about constitutional rights and legal entitlements. From the right to education and healthcare to protection from discrimination and exploitation, every citizen must know what the law offers them. A right that remains unknown is a right denied in practice.
India has made strides in enacting progressive laws, yet the gap between legislation and grassroots awareness remains significant. The Legal Services Authorities, both at the national and state levels, have played an important role in bridging this gap. But more proactive outreach is needed—especially in rural, tribal, and conflict-affected regions like parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Legal literacy camps, school and college awareness programs, community-based paralegal volunteers, and accessible grievance redressal platforms must be scaled up.
CJI Gavai’s appeal to judges and lawyers to ensure justice for the “last citizen” is not just a moral directive but a constitutional imperative. The judiciary must adopt an inclusive approach to justice, where the disadvantaged are not just heard but actively supported in navigating the legal system. This is in line with the spirit of Article 39A of the Constitution, which mandates the State to provide free legal aid to ensure that justice is not denied due to economic or other disabilities.
The idea of justice cannot be confined to courtrooms. It must permeate society as a lived reality. For that, awareness is the first step. Informed citizens are empowered citizens—capable of asserting their rights, demanding accountability, and participating meaningfully in the democratic process.
As India moves forward on the path of development, the focus must remain on strengthening legal empowerment. Only then can we realize the vision of an inclusive society, where justice is not a privilege of the few but a right of all. |
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