Mysuru: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairperson Justice V Ramasubramanian on Sunday said that providing justice to the distressed and the poor is the true duty of the legal profession. He noted that a lawyer’s professional life becomes meaningful when a client leaves with a smile after receiving justice.He was speaking after inaugurating the first zonal workshop on ‘From Classroom to Courtroom – Law Students as Catalysts for Social Justice’, jointly organised by the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority, Hubballi-based Karnataka State Law University, State Bank of India, Canara Bank and Punjab National Bank.Justice Ramasubramanian recalled that England introduced provisions for free legal aid through legislation in 1930. In India, free legal services have been available since 1987 under the Legal Services Authorities Act, which enables the poor and distressed to access justice without financial barriers.Karnataka high court judge Justice Anu Sivaraman said the programme aims to create awareness on organising legal aid camps and clinics. With the participation of 13 law colleges from the Mysuru region, legal aid camps will be held in 29 villages to spread legal awareness.Karnataka State Legal Services Authority member secretary Shashidhar Shetty said justice should not be delayed because of the rich-poor divide, adding that Karnataka has 155 law colleges and students should actively participate in legal awareness initiatives in rural areas.University of Mysore vice-chancellor NK Lokanath said the study of law is not merely a profession but also a responsibility to ensure justice for the oppressed and marginalised.Karnataka State Law University vice-chancellor C Basavaraju said the Constitution was framed to ensure justice for even the last person in society, and its true purpose will be fulfilled only when social justice reaches everyone.Senior civil judge and member secretary of Legal Services Authority KK Amarnath and others were present.|
