Union Law Minister Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal underscored that “justice for all is the soul of a developed India” while addressing the inaugural session of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) East-Zone Regional Conference in Guwahati. The two-day event has been organised jointly by the Assam State Legal Services Authority (SLSA) and the Gauhati High Court, under the guidance of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ashutosh Kumar, Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court and Patron-in-Chief of SLSA Assam. The conference was inaugurated by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Surya Kant, Executive Chairman of NALSA, in the presence of Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam, distinguished Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, and senior officers of the legal services institutions from across the Eastern and Northeastern States.
Speaking on the constitutional vision of Article 39A, Shri Meghwal said that access to justice for the poor, marginalised and vulnerable remains one of the Republic’s foremost obligations. He recalled that Article 39A, inserted by the 42nd Amendment, makes it the duty of the State to ensure equal justice and free legal aid. “Access to justice is not only a legal expression; it is a constitutional and moral commitment,” he said, adding that NALSA embodies this promise by converting the ideals of equality, liberty and fraternity into action at the grassroots.
The Law Minister highlighted that legal awareness is the first step toward empowerment, observing that an informed citizenry forms the foundation of a just democracy. He commended NALSA’s outreach campaigns and its new thematic initiatives that connect law with everyday life. “Only when citizens understand their rights and duties can justice truly become participatory,” he remarked.
Blending insight with humour, Shri Meghwal shared his personal connection with Assam, noting that the name “Guwahati” derives from guwa (betel-nut) and haat (market), symbolising the city’s long history as a meeting place of cultures and commerce and it’s connection with Rajasthan. He lauded the State Government’s commitment to inclusive governance and praised the judiciary for its proactive partnership with NALSA in extending legal aid to remote areas and diverse communities.
Reaffirming the Central Government’s support, Shri Meghwal said the Legal Aid Defence Counsel System (LADCS), a reform aimed at providing professional and continuous representation to undertrial prisoners has already achieved significant results. As of June 2025, 5,750 staff and 3,830 Defence Counsel are operating under LADCS across India, helping dispose of nearly 6.96 lakh criminal cases through legal-aid mechanisms between 2023 and 2025. He added that the Ministry of Law and Justice will continue to strengthen institutional frameworks so that “no citizen is denied justice because of economic hardship or social disadvantage.”
Referring to the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047, the Minister emphasised that economic progress and justice must advance together. “When India celebrates the centenary of its independence, let it also celebrate the fulfilment of justice. A developed nation is one where every person, regardless of status or circumstance, feels included in the journey of law and liberty,” he said. Quoting from his remarks, he reminded the audience that “Justice is simply another name for liberty, equality and fraternity,” and urged all stakeholders to translate these constitutional values into daily governance.
Concluding his address, Shri Meghwal congratulated NALSA and the organisers for convening discussions on vital regional concerns such as child marriage prevention, child-rights protection, narcotics control, the welfare of tribal and tea-garden workers. He expressed confidence that the deliberations would yield actionable recommendations to strengthen the justice delivery network across the East and Northeast.