In an era dominated by rapid digital consumption and diminishing attention spans, the message from the Chief Justice of India at a recent event is both timely and transformative. Addressing law students during the felicitation of winners of a pan-India reel-making and short film competition, the CJI emphasised a fundamental truth: the effectiveness of legal aid awareness lies not in long-winded lectures or complex jargon but in sharp, accessible, and emotionally resonant communication. This perspective urges a rethinking of how legal awareness is disseminated in India and challenges traditional paradigms that have often failed to reach the masses. The idea that legal awareness campaigns must move beyond “preaching” is crucial. India’s legal aid system is the largest in the world, with nearly 80% of its population eligible for free legal assistance. Yet awareness of this entitlement remains woefully inadequate, particularly among the most marginalised. A scheme, as the CJI rightly pointed out, can only be deemed successful if it translates into a tangible impact on the ground. Legal literacy in India must therefore pivot from a supply-driven model to one that listens to the needs of beneficiaries and adapts accordingly.
This shift is especially important considering the broader context of access to justice. As CJI noted, access and justice are so closely intertwined that one cannot exist without the other. Legal aid is not simply about assigning a lawyer; it encompasses informing people of their rights, enabling them to navigate complex legal procedures, and ensuring they can claim the benefits of social welfare schemes designed to uplift them. Without awareness, these schemes remain paper promises. What makes India’s legal aid model commendable is its holistic approach-not just helping the accused but supporting victims and witnesses as well. This inclusivity is key in a country where systemic inequalities often mean that the most vulnerable are also the most invisible to justice systems. However, implementation remains a persistent challenge.
The significance of the digital age in this transformation cannot be overstated. The popularity of short films and reels underscores how modern technology can powerfully shape public opinion-in 30 seconds or less. Legal aid awareness campaigns must therefore be tailored to digital platforms, using crisp messaging, visuals, and narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. This is not merely about keeping pace with the times; it is about leveraging the most effective tools to ensure justice reaches the last mile. It also recognises that people are more likely to internalise messages presented through relatable and emotionally compelling formats rather than dry legal prose. Supporting this approach are sobering statistics from the India Justice Report 2025. With a ratio of one legal aid clinic per 163 villages and only three paralegal volunteers per one lakh population, it is evident that resources are stretched thin. Awareness campaigns, especially low-cost yet high-impact digital ones, could help fill the gap.
Since the onset of COVID-19, extraordinary efforts have been made to deliver justice at people’s doorsteps through legal camps, virtual appearances, video conferencing, and other innovative means aimed at clearing case backlogs and removing systemic bottlenecks-efforts that have shown significant improvement. Simultaneously, initiatives to raise public awareness about legal rights and free legal aid are highly commendable, as a large segment of the population remains unaware of basic legal provisions and is therefore denied access to justice. This widespread ignorance has enabled corruption and criminal exploitation to flourish, making legal awareness a crucial tool in combating societal malpractices and strengthening the justice system.
However, the road to universal legal awareness in India is long. Still, the shift from didacticism to dialogue, from jargon to storytelling, and from isolation to collaboration is a powerful beginning. In the words of CJI, the sharpest message, not the longest, will drive this change. The legal community must now harness the creativity, technology, and empathy needed to ensure that justice is not just a constitutional promise but a lived reality for all.
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