At the Western Regional Conference in Kevadia, Gujarat, Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant said,
"The measure of a nation's justice is how many of its citizens never had to fear injustice."
The conference marked 30 years of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), jointly organised by NALSA and Gujarat State Legal Services Authority (GSLSA). The event was attended by dignitaries including Supreme Court Justice BR Gavai, Gujarat High Court Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal, Justice Biren A. Vaishnav, Justice A.S. Supehia, and S.C. Munghate.
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Justice Surya Kant, Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee and soon-to-be Executive Chairman of NALSA, reflected deeply on the meaning of justice. He said,
"It is not found in the grandeur of court buildings nor in the volumes of statutory laws. It lies in the sense of security and fairness felt by the poorest, the most marginalised, the most voiceless among us."
Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, he added,
"The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members."
He stressed that the motto of NALSA should be to ensure that no citizen ever fears injustice, beyond implementing various successful schemes.
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Justice Surya Kant also looked back at NALSA's transformative journey since 1995, highlighting how it brought justice closer to people living in the remotest villages, prisons, juvenile homes, women shelters, tribal areas, and transgender communities. He emphasised,
"The NALSA platform has proved that justice is not a charity, but a constitutional right."
He called upon all legal institutions, lawyers, and fraternity members to work as nation builders:
"Think of yourself not just as functionaries of judicial or administrative forums but as architects of a more just republic."
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Encouraging a future-focused vision, he urged everyone to make justice an entitlement for all and not a privilege for a few.
Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal of the Gujarat High Court also addressed the gathering. She underlined that access to justice is a constitutional mandate, not just an aspiration. Reflecting on an incident, she narrated,
"A married woman and a mother of three was brutally assaulted by her in-laws. Though the court and administration took steps, I realised victims need more than institutional help; they need trust, support, and empathy."
She directed a roadmap for the woman’s holistic rehabilitation, showing how deeply rooted community support is essential for justice.
Justice Biren Vaishnav, Executive Chairman of GSLSA, reaffirmed their commitment towards reaching vulnerable sections. He said,
"Our commitment to justice delivery will be incomplete if we do not reach out to the vulnerable and make them aware of their rights."
He also mentioned the proud moment when the Gujarati version of NALSA's theme song was launched by Justice Gavai, a symbolic step towards inclusivity.
In closing, the event not only celebrated three decades of progress but also issued a powerful call to action for the future, aiming to deepen justice at every level of society, leaving no one behind.
