Highlighting India’s hard reality of social and economic disparities, the Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana said that only a small percentage of the population can afford to approach the courts for justice, while the majority suffer in silence.
“The majority of the population lack legal awareness and necessary means to approach the courts, the top judge said.
“Modern India was built around the goal of removing the disparities in society. Project Democracy is about providing a space for participation of all. Participation will not be possible without social emancipation. Access to justice is a tool for social emancipation,” the CJI said in his address.
He was speaking at the All India District Legal Services Authorities Meet. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju were guests on the dais along with Justices U.U. Lalit and D.Y. Chandrachud.
The two-day meet was organised by NALSA and was being attended by over 1,200 delegates across the nation including the principal district and sessions judge of all the judicial districts and ex officio chairpersons of DLSAs.
Chief Justice Ramana further said that strengthening of the district judiciary was the “need of the hour”. “They are the first point of contact for much of the population. Public’s opinion about the judiciary would primarily rest on their experiences with the district judicial officers,” he said.
“The district judiciary is the backbone of the justice delivery system in the world’s largest democracy… You must undertake multifaceted tasks and roles. You are best placed to understand people’s problems and social issues… Without any doubt, the district judiciary is the driving force behind the legal aid movement in India,” the CJI said.
In his speech, the CJI urged the judiciary not to “camouflage or hide” its problems.
“If we intend to serve the people better, we need to flag the issues which hinder our functioning. There is no meaning in camouflaging or hiding the problems. If we don’t discuss these issues, if matters of pressing concern are not addressed, then the system will cripple. I fear we may be unable to fulfil our constitutional mandate of social justice. I urge you therefore, to discuss, debate and decide!” the Chief Justice Ramana said.
Hailing the services provided by NALSA (National Legal Services Authority) following its inception 27 years ago, Justice Ramana said, “The fact that it is aimed at offering free legal aid to 70% of our population, makes NALSA the largest legal aid provider in the world.”
The CJI also stressed the need for strengthening alternate dispute redressal (ADR) mechanisms like Lok Adalat, mediation and arbitration centres.
