Constitutional Guarantees Meaningless Without Ensuring Equal Access To Justice For All : CJI NV Ramana

The CJI and the Patron-in-Chief, NALSA was speaking at the launch of pan-India Awareness and Outreach Campaign on 2nd October, 2021 from Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The President of India Ram Nath Kovind wasthe Chief Guest. The Programme also witnessed the presence of the Union Minister for Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju, Justice U. U. Lalit,Executive Chairman, NALSA, and Justice A. M. Khanwilkar, Chairperson,Supreme Court Legal Services Committee.

He expressed that it is the undeniable truth that only inclusiveness can ensure a vibrant democracy and sustainable growth would be impossible to attain without inclusive access to justice, that the framers of our Constitution were aware of the social and economic reality and therefore, they emphasised the Welfare State where no one is denied the basic needs of life. "In order to protect the aforesaid rights, we have equal protection of the laws and equality before the law. But this will be rendered meaningless if the vulnerable section cannot enforce their rights. Equality and access to justice complement each other. In countries with major socio-economic gaps, unequal access to justice leads to widening of these divides, and in suppression of the full potential of the individual. Every person comes across legal issues in their lifetime- pertaining to inheritance, business, family, employment. In a complex society like ours which is full of inequalities, problems tend to multiply on their own. Loss of daily wage, prospect of eviction, lack of healthcare and uncertainty about the next meal are all connected to the access to justice. The social cost of this is unimaginable. Socio-economic justice would be impossible to achieve without providing equal access to justice", he continued.

"This is why today all the three organs of the State have come together to strive for a future based on equality and fairness. The key to access to justice lies in creating legal  awareness. It would be the galvanising force behind the reform process. Only when the vulnerable classes are aware of their rights they can shape their own future. In this country, we need the people to feel that the law and administration is for everybody. In a democratic country, it is the faith and the trust of the citizens that sustains initiation!",elaborated the CJI.

Speaking of NALSA, he said that since its inception 25 years ago, the NALSA has rendered services to crores of people, helping them in realising their rights and entitlements, all free of cost- "But now NALSA's goal should be 'if the needy cannot reach us, we will reach the needy'. This flame is to be carried to the remotest corner and the weakest person in the country. It is a challenge to all the organs of the State to work together to realise the goals of true freedom after 75 years of independence. The empowering and enabling of the  people is the key to freedom, freedom from from inequity, freedom to dream,freedom to achieve"

He concluded, urging the media to partner with the NALSA to advance the cause of justice for all.

The CJI also mentioned in his address that the Law Minister has assured him that the Collegium recommendations will be cleared soon.