On Saturday, during the celebration marking three decades of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), Supreme Court Justice BR Gavai emphasized the importance of citizens being aware of their constitutional and statutory rights. The event took place at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat’s Narmada district, where Justice Gavai, serving as NALSA’s executive chairman, highlighted the initiatives undertaken to educate and empower the “last mile citizens” of the country.
Justice Gavai pointed out that knowing one’s rights is crucial for their enforcement, a sentiment that underpins the constitutional promise of Article 39 (A), which guarantees equal justice and free legal aid. “It is not enough to have rights; citizens must also be aware of them,” he remarked, underscoring the proactive steps NALSA has taken under his leadership to reach out to the grassroots levels across India.
Since taking the helm of NALSA about five-and-a-half months ago, Justice Gavai’s team has worked vigorously to fulfill what he describes as a “bloodless revolution” envisioned by Dr. Ambedkar through the Constitution. This revolution involves transforming the theoretical promise of justice into a tangible reality for every citizen, particularly the needy.
One of the critical areas of focus has been the decongestion of prisons. Justice Gavai shared insights from his visit to the Nagpur central prison, where he observed the conditions firsthand. Following this, NALSA introduced special provisions to facilitate the release on bail of elderly and terminally ill prisoners. Furthermore, NALSA has filed a PIL in the Supreme Court to prioritize the release of such undertrial prisoners.
Justice Surya Kant, another Supreme Court judge and chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee, also spoke at the event. He addressed the transformed perception of justice—from a notion of charity to a recognized legal right. According to Justice Kant, the essence of justice in a nation is not reflected in the grandeur of its court buildings or the volume of its laws, but through the security and fairness perceived by its most vulnerable and marginalized citizens.
