'Not Enough To Have Rights, Unless Citizens Are Made Aware Of Their Rights They Wont Seek Enforcement': Justice BR Gavai

"It is not enough to have rights, it is necessary that citizens must know they have constitutional , statutory rights. Unless they are made aware they wont come forward to enforce them," said Supreme Court Justice BR Gavai while speaking at an event on Saturday (April 26) commemorating 30-years of National Legal Services Authority (NALSA). 

Justice Gavai was speaking at the Western Regional Conference in Kevadia, Gujarat, which is celebrating 3-decades of the authority, organized jointly by NALSA and Gujarat State Legal Services Authority (GSLSA). Justice Gavai, who is the executive chairman of NALSA, has also launched several key initiatives today.

In his speech Justice Gavai recounted his experiences when he and his team at NALSA went to various states across the country–including Rajasthan, Ladakh and the North Eastern States–as part of NALSA's outreach. Recounting his experience in Manipur, the judge said:

"We went to Manipur. We have seen in last 2-3 yrs Manipur is riddled with the problem of dispute between the 2 ethnic groups of people.Therefore we went to Kukis and Meiteis. We distributed legal aid material, books to children, medical equipment. We were so moved when we went to Manipur that when we went to the Kuki camp, one senior lady welcomed me and she said 'welcome to your home'".

He thereafter said, "India is your home. For every Indian who maybe resident of any part of the country, the entire country is home". 

Justice Gavai further said that the venue located near the Statue of Unity i.e. the statue of Sardar Vallabhai Patel–in Kevadia–was ideal to commemorate 30 years of NALSA's journey, and gave credit to Sardar Patel for making a united India.

"After independence till couple of years we did not have India, as we have today. So he (Sardar Patel) went to the princely states trying to get them into mainfold by negotiations and wherever not possible using force. Therefore united India we have today the credit goes to Sardar Vallabhai Patel. Therefore for a country like India, for NALSA which reflects the entire country, there could not have been a better place to commemorate or celebrate 30 years journey and to get inspiration for future," he said. 

Talking about NALSA's work, Justice Gavai emphasised that the biggest problem that NALSA faces is that of undertrial prisoners. On the efforts made by NALSA, he noted that NALSA had filed a PIL in the Supreme Court seeking release of undertrial prisoners who are aged, terminally ill on priority basis. It has also came up with jingles played on Doordarshan and All India Radio, to spread awareness of legal aid available and that 15100 the helpline number is also available for the citizens, the judge said. 

He stated that with the updated website, there will be a common platform for all state, district and taluka legal services authority who would now be jointly approachable. He said now there is a wide network of 37 state legal services authorities operating in states and UTs. Further, 708 district authorities, 2451 taluka authorities, 38 HC legal services committee and 1 SC legal services committee providing legal aid to the needy. He also said there are 20,416 legal aid clinics, 1076 prison clinics, 2,281 front offices in 708 districts, workforce of panel lawyers of 44,000, Para legal volunteers of 50,000 and 9000 pro bono lawyers working in 654 districts.

"We are also at an advance stage where we are working with BCI to include in curriculum mandatory internship with NALSA so that students get to know about satisfying work the authority does for citizens of the country," he added. 

On what NALSA signifies and how has its journey been in the last 30 years Justice Gavai said:

"Dr Ambedkar considered the Constitution to be a weapon for bloodless revolution. Therefore NALSA in a way is a revolution so as to keep up promise of justice to all, to the needy in reality. NALSA story is a story of quiet revolution of giving legal empowerment to last mile citizen of the country. When I would be demiting next month I will be happy that me and my team have attempted to reach out last citizen of country and assuring. 'Ek mutthi insaan pe haq humara bhi toh hai' this message we have been able to penetrate to last citizen of this country". 

Thanking his team at NALSA, Justice Gavai also thanked the contribution of several personalities including actors PankajTripathi and Shivaji Satam, boxer Mary Kom, footballer Baichung Bhutia, actor Rajkumar Rao, Social workers Padma Shri Shyam Sundar Paliwal and Dr Prakash Amte for rendering their pro bono services.

Justice Gavai ended his speech with the quote of poet-saint Narsinh Mehta who had:

'Vaishnav Jan To, Tene Kahiye Je; Peed Paraaye Jaane Re; Par Dukkhe Upkaar Kare Toye; Man Abhiman Na Anne Re'

(One who is a true Vaishnav is the one who, feels and understands the pain of others; Helps those who are in misery but never lets pride enter their mind).

Justice Gavai also launched the new redesigned website of the authority, as well as the migration of State Legal Services Authorities' (SLSA) websites to the S3waas platform, and the debut of NALSA's AI-powered chatbot, “LESA (Legal Services Assistant).”

Among other key launches, the event saw the launch of NALSA (JAGRITI) – Justice Awareness for Grassroots Rural Information and Transparency Initiative Scheme 2025,  accompanied by a dissemination video, jingle, e-launch, and hardbound release. Further, the revised NALSA (DAWN) – Drug Awareness and Wellness Navigation for a Drug-free India Scheme, 2025, and NALSA (SAMVAD) – Strengthening Access to Justice for Marginalized, Vulnerable Adivasis and Denotified/Nomadic Tribes Scheme, 2025, was also introduced. 

Another key release was the “Speak Up” handbook on the POSH Act, 2013, presented in both English and Hindi (“आवाज़ उठाओ”), supported by dissemination videos, an e-launch, and hardbound copies. Further, the conference featured the release of a book, “NALSA@30 - A Legacy of Free Legal Aid” and impactful videos on “Lok Adalat: Expanding Justice” and “Mediation First: Towards Peaceful Settlements”. Another digital initiative called “NALSA @Connect,” was also introduced complemented by an explainer video. 

(compiled by Sanjana Dadmi)