Justice Surya Kant, the Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), has stressed the need to extend legal aid and facilitate access to justice to the marginalized communities in the eastern and northeastern states.
He expressed concern on the unequal development of communities and disparities in development despite the region’s resource abundance.
Speaking at the NALSA East-Zone Regional Conference held in Sonapur, Guwahati, Assamm, Justice Surya Kant stressed the need for shared resolve and compassion to address pressing challenges such as child marriage, narcotics, and mental health.
In the conference, the NALSA chief showcased NALSA’s initiatives, including DAWN (Drug Awareness and Wellness Navigation) and ASHA (Standard Operating Procedure for preventing child marriage). He emphasized the need for collective action, innovation, and compassion to ensure justice is delivered.
The conference deliberated on key issues affecting the region, including child rights, narcotics, tribal community protection, and mental health. Justice Surya Kant urged participants to translate discussions into tangible action; ensuring justice is felt in the lives of people.
Justice Surya Kant emphasized that securing justice in the eastern states is central to strengthening India’s moral fabric. He invoked Assamese saint Srimanta Sankardev’s quote, “Manuhor maromat Ishwar thake” (God resides in human compassion), highlighting the importance of compassion in justice delivery.
In his concluding remarks, the NALSA chief said: “Let us remember that the eastern states are not mere frontiers of India’s geography; they are frontiers of India’s justice. To secure justice here is to strengthen the moral fabric of our great republic.’’
The conference was attended by Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Gauhati High Court Chief Justice Justice Ashutosh Kumar, who is also the Patron-in-Chief of the State Legal Services Authority, Assam, among others.
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