Rubon Saproo
As a part of social awakening about constitutional rights, the Legal Literacy Clubs (LLCs) have been set up in different schools and colleges in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. These clubs are functioning under the aegis of District Legal Services Authorities (DLSA) and State Legal Services Authorities (SLSA). The chief wing of all these authorities is National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) with Chief Justice of the Supreme Court as its chairman. The main aim of opening these clubs in educational institutions is to create awareness among students about their constitutional rights, duties and legal obligations. And, the idea behind involving students in the programme is that as youth and later as responsible citizens they should play more effective and helpful role than other organisations in educating people regarding various laws, schemes, programmes and current issues.
The government realised that in a democratic set up legal empowerment in the society is a must especially for the weaker sections so that no harm or injury should be caused to them in matters of justice due to lack of ignorance about legal system or economic or other disabilities. There were several efforts made in the past to improve people’s access to justice but the goal could not be achieved in reality. It became, therefore, essential that youth and students should be provided an opportunity to create awareness about legal rights. They should be educated to boost legal knowledge among masses. In this said backdrop, legal literacy clubs were established in schools and colleges where club members would be given legal education. This education is different from professional education of lawyers. The education will cover basic information about constitution, laws and rights of a citizen.
The structure of each club is based on 10-25 students, a teacher incharge, panel lawyer and a para legal volunteer. The students of the club will be educated by organising legal literacy classes in schools on some particular days. The resource persons, representatives, retired and serving judicial officers, panel lawyers of SLSA will take those classes as per NALSA curriculum. The students will be informed on general issues like female foeticide, child marriage and dowry prohibition, protection of children against sexual offences act, juvenile justice act, prevention of damage to the public property act, rights of disabled persons, right to education and information, ragging, road safety, common laws against domestic violence, protection of women rights etc.
Besides, the LLCs have to perform a number of activities in coordination with DLSA to promote consciousness in general public about law and justice. They have to identify persons who deserve legal aid or assistance in the process of protecting their rights so that they could be facilitated as per legal services authorities act. The clubs have also to distribute legal aid application forms free of cost among such persons who are in desperate need of legal support.
The role of LLCs is not limited; it is wide and purposeful. For example, the LLCs can paly an important role for both students and masses in availing benefits from various state and centre sponsored schemes. These clubs in coordination with DLSA can provide help to students and people in availing benefits from social welfare and other departments. It can help students free of cost in matters related to issuance of DOB certificates, scholarships, admissions in professional colleges etc. The legal service authorities are also facilitating youth to avail trainings under national development skill programme. It also helps specially abled children to acquire benefits from various schemes. Even, the DLSA can provide an aid to victims of domestic violence. The females can be given shelter on seeking directions from the court in case they feel insecure.
“The most important factor is to know about legal aid and who are eligible for it,” said Bisma Khan, an advocate at J&K Legal Literacy Authority. She said that the act of legal aid services directed to offer free legal aid to the needy and poor people. She also said that this legal aid can be given in terms of legal assistance; legal advice or even a lawyer can be provided, all free of cost. However, she maintained that everyone is not entitled to legal aid as its act reserves criterion up to men whose income is less than Rs.50, 000 per annum but in case of women all can avail its services.
“The children of age group 0-18 years can avail this facility even if a child is in custody and there is no restriction for senior citizens above 60years to get legal advice or awareness,” she added. To avail this services one can approach at national, state, district or thesil level legal services institutions which in turn can forward the requests of the applicant to legal services authorities for redress.
It is, therefore, important for the students who are members of the LLCs to understand nature of their job and responsibilities, apart from usual education. It is a mission or an initiative which needs to translate into reality by way of playing a vital role in promoting legal awareness among citizens. The DLSA shall award certificates and legal literacy study kits to LLCs who actively participate in activities.
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