SC Judge advocates legal literacy for all

BS Malik

Sonepat, August 11

Justice Udai Umesh Lalit of the Supreme Court on Saturday opined that legal literacy could make a difference by making people understand their rights and duties. “Empowerment comes from knowledge, which brings enlightenment to help people from deprived sections of society,” he said.

He was addressing students during the state-level annual students legal literacy mission programme organised by the Haryana Legal Services Authority (HLSA) at the DCR University of Science and Technology in Murthal. “Every child is the father of man and the future lies in your hands,” he said.

Justice Hemant Gupta of the Supreme Court stressed the need for preservation of water, rivers, forests, historical monuments and natural resources.

He remarked that the third world war would be fought over water, which was being wasted excessively. He congratulated the state government for adopting crop diversification on 40,000 hectares to save water.

He congratulated the HLSA for its performance in creating legal awareness among students and other sections of the society. He cautioned against use of plastic and firing of crackers.

Justice Surya Kant of the Supreme Court said millions of victims of inequality and discrimination in society could be helped by creating legal awareness among the young generation.

“There will be a lot of responsibility of your shoulders and your empowerment is the true empowerment of society,” he said.

Justice Krishan Murari, Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, said there were 7,101 literacy clubs with membership of more than 3.5 lakh.

“Though the legal literacy campaign is successful in the state, collective efforts are required to give further momentum to this campaign,” he said.

Justice Rajiv Sharma of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, also chairman of the HLSA, listed the activities of the HLSA.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar pointed out that along with awareness about rights, it was necessary to spread awareness about duties. He laid stress on providing quick justice.

He inaugurated Deen Dayal Convention Centre, constructed at a cost of Rs 42 crore. He laid the foundation stone of a classroom complex, estimated to cost Rs 16 crore.