Measure Of Nation's Justice Lies In Sense Of Security Felt By The Poorest & Marginalised : Justice Surya Kant

"The measure of a nation's justice is how many of its citizens never had to fear injustice," said Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant in his address at an event on Saturday (April 26) commemorating 30-years of National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) organised in Gujarat. 

Justice Surya Kant was speaking at the Western Regional Conference–organized jointly by NALSA and Gujarat State Legal Services Authority (GSLSA) in Kevadia, Gujarat.

The event celebrated 3-decades of NALSA and was attended by various dignitaries including NALSA's executive chairman Supreme Court Justice BR Gavai, Gujarat High Court Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal as well as other judges of the high court–Justice Biren A. Vaishnav the Executive Chairman of Gujarat State Legal Services Authority, Justice A.S. Supehia, the Chairman of High Court Legal Services Committee and S.C. Munghate Member Secretary NALSA.

Justice Surya Kant, who is currently Chairman of Supreme Court Legal Services Committee and is set to take on the mantel of Executive Chairman of NALSA next month, further said:

"I would return to a fundamental question that what is the true measure of justice in a nation. It is not found in the grandeur of court buildings nor in the volumes of statutory laws. It lies in something more profound- in the sense of security and fairness felt by the poorest, the most marginalised, the most voiceless among us. I do remember Mahatma Gandhi's words and I quote, 'The True measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members. It is reflected in how many of our fellow citizens live without fear, neglect, exploitation and fear of being unheard'"

"I would put it the measure of nation's justice is how many of its citizens never had to fear injustice. That should be in my respectful saying be the motto of NALSA besides various other profound and salutary schemes which we are successfully implementing," he added. 

At the outset Justice Surya Kant said that they had assembled to not only to mark a milestone but to reflect on a transformative journey that began in 1995 when NALSA came to be established.

"The fact remains that beyond the marble corridors of our courtroom and into the remotest villages, crowded prisons, juvenile homes, women shelters, rural areas, remote areas, tribal communities, transgender communities, our reach has been really a remarkable journey to the voiceless people. The NALSA platform has proved itself to be access to justice and it has also removed perception that justice was a charity. We have been able to not only communicate to people that it is their constitutional right. The other part is we have successfully established and convinced our workers that it is our constitutional duty to ensure justice to all and all," the judge said.

The judge in his address called upon every legal service institution, every lawyer and ever member of the fraternity to rededicate themselves as an "architect of a more just republic".

"Think of yourself not only just as functionaries of judicial or administrative forums, but as nation builders laying bricks and mortar of justice at grass root level. Let us think of the next 30 years that must be about perfecting reach, deepening the impact and about ensuring that justice does not remain privilege of the few but entitlement of all. Our celebration today is not just about honouring the past; it is a resounding call to action for next decade and beyond. Let us be both dreamers and doers...Let us together usher in a new dawn of access of justice for all and without exception," he added. 

Gujarat High Court Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal in her address emphasized on the crucial aspects of legal services for underprivileged adding that access to justice is not merely an aspiration but a constitutional mandate. The judge reflected on the journey of  NALSA's establishment as it how it has transformed legal aid from an abstract idea to a functional grass root reality.

Underscoring the need to move from general awareness to micro level community planning, she recounted an incident and said "A married woman and a mother of three was brutally assaulted by a mob led by her in-laws fuelled by nothing more than the suspicion of her infidelity. The high court took suo motu cognizance...officers from district administration were roped in, rehabilitiative steps were taken but I felt that it was insufficient. To my mind, victims of such cases need more than institutional aid; they need building trust, continuous support, empathy. A paralegal volunteer, someone rooted in the community, can offer that. Helping her to speak up and rebuild her confidence. Accordingly, I directed the member secretary GSLSA to meet the victim and work on drafting a comprehensive road map for her rehab and support ensuring her holistic recovery and reintegration into society". 

Meanwhile Gujarat State Legal Services Authority (GSLSA) Executive Chairman Justice Biren Vaishnav, in his address, said that the dream of securing justice for all in accordance with the theme of the Constitution of India is a comprehensive function. 

"Our commitment to have an efficient justice delivery system will be incomplete if we do not reach out and interact with vulnerable and make them aware of their rights," he added. 

He said that endeavour of GSLSA in making the Gujarati version of NALSA theme song got recognition when Justice Gavai launched the song. 

"The summer here, in this part, at this time, is a testing time for us for the conference. But the venue where the Sardar statute stands tall and when we are being guided by two towering personalities in Justice Gavai and Justice Surya Kant the spirit is high," he said thanking the two Supreme Court justices for their valuable guidance and inspiration.