I am happy to be with you at this national convention on “Law and Justice and the Common Man”. The fact that hundreds of legal experts and human rights activists from various parts of India have gathered here makes this event extremely important. I compliment Dr. Abhishek Singhvi and his team at the Legal and Human Rights Department of the All India Congress Committee for organizing this conference.

It would be no exaggeration to say that the seeds of a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic Indian republic were sown by lawyers and human rights activists. They played a pivotal role in our struggle for freedom and an even more important part in the framing of our Constitution. In fact, it was a lawyer, Dr. Baba Sahab Ambedkar, who chaired the Drafting Committee of our Constitution. He contributed immensely in making the Constitution a document which provides for equality, justice and protection of the rights of the down-trodden, the disadvantaged and the minorities. Lawyers and human rights activists continue to play a significant role in our nation’s march forward. We expect them to be at the forefront in ensuring the rule of law and in building a just, equitable and inclusive society.

The Indian legal and judicial system is one of the pillars of our democracy. Our Government attaches great importance to the legal empowerment of the common man. We believe that democracy would have little meaning for the common man and woman unless he or she is able to secure his or her basic rights and gain easy access to speedy justice through the instrumentality of law. It is with this perception that I address this convention today.

At a conference of Chief Justices and Chief Ministers some time back, I had pointed out that the Indian legal and judicial system, in some sense, reflects a great contradiction. Our democracy and our legal and judicial system have strengths that are admired the world over. We have a free press, a truly independent judiciary and independent institutions like the Election Commission and the Comptroller and Auditor General which underpin our democratic framework. The quality of our lawyers is reflected in the innovative legal doctrine and precepts that they have helped establish. However, all these strengths are somewhat diminished by the arrears and backlog of cases at every level of our judicial system.

We have passed the Gram Nyayalayas Act. I have urged State Governments to initiate immediate action to operationalize this Act in their States. Once the Act is fully implemented, we will have more than 5000 courts at the intermediate panchayat level. These will bring justice to the doorstep of the common people. The Central Government has also decided to establish 71 additional CBI Courts in different states. We expect these fast track courts to conduct their business differently and faster than normal courts and thus contribute to reducing the pendency of cases. We will continue to augment and improve judicial infrastructure to ensure speedy access to justice for all our citizens.

Backlog of cases is not the only issue that needs to be resolved. Certain laws, which have ceased to be relevant, either need to be deleted or amended. Procedural laws have to be pruned and streamlined. We have to show sensitivity and care in dealing with the vulnerable and marginalized sections of our society. The powerless, the poor and the ignorant need assistance for being empowered to uphold their own rights. Legal literacy campaigns, para-legal training programmes, mobilization of public opinion against injustice and exploitation, out-of-court settlement of disputes and free legal aid are some of the ways through which the poor and the underprivileged can be made to realize their rights and also participate in shaping and rejuvenating this great nation.

Legal and judicial reform is not the concern only of the judiciary or the legislature -- it is equally the solemn responsibility of the executive and, indeed, of the Bar. All of us have to pool our wisdom, knowledge and experience to move forward in this area. The lead, however, has to come from within. It is you – the lawyers, the insiders – who have to show us the path. And let me say that there is no dearth of committed men and women in the Bar, men and women of integrity and competence, who can uphold the cause of justice.

In 2005, our government enacted the Right to Information Act. It is a landmark piece of legislation, which has the potential to bring about a major improvement in governance in our country. It has brought about transparency and accountability in administration and empowered citizens in a manner which could not have been thought of a few years ago. Our government will continue making such efforts for the welfare of our citizens.

At the Conference of Chief Justices and Chief Ministers, I had assured the house that our Government will not be found wanting in tackling problems being faced in the administration of justice. I reiterate that promise today. We promise to match each step of the Bar and the Bench with two of our own. We will not hesitate to walk the extra mile at every opportunity.

The single most important stakeholder in our legal and judicial system is the consumer of justice. It is to provide relief to him and to meet his legitimate expectations that we should all work together. Let us all re-affirm today that we will make all efforts towards ensuring that the common man – the aam aadmi – will get easy and affordable access to speedy justice.

I am given to understand that this Convention will discuss ways and means of strengthening the historical and traditional links of lawyers and human rights activists with the Congress Party in every block, district and state of India. I am sure the deliberations will result in finding ways and means of reforming and restructuring the legal system to promote greater welfare of our people. I wish the Convention all success.

Thank you.