Legal Awareness in India

    Posted on 24 February, 2023 by Irika

    Legal Awareness in India

    Abstract

    Legal awareness, also known as legal knowledge, is what gives people the ability to make decisions about legal matters. Being aware of the legal society, involvement in the creation of laws, and the authority of law is beneficial. Legal knowledge not only opens one's eyes but also serves as a powerful weapon against exploitation and a tool for emancipation from the executive or any other form of entrenched power. India has one of the largest populations in the globe, making it difficult to guarantee fairness for all. Equity is essential in all its manifestations. People who are more aware of the law are better able to demand fairness, responsibility, and effective remedies. As a nation free of widespread poverty, illiteracy, and indolence, India is in a prime situation to educate its citizens about a broad range of issues. No matter how many people there are who are illiterate, they should all be aware of the fundamental rules of the nation. Individuals should exercise their rights, go to court, and look for justice even if they are ignorant and in poverty. There are many different socio-cultural differences in India, which has 137 billion individuals overall. It is therefore unquestionably crucial to determine whether justice reaches every part of a community in order for there to be a democratic judicial system. A brief analysis of the accessibility of legal knowledge can provide the first half of the solution for oppressed groups such as women, people of other genders, seniors, oppressed classes, and the impoverished.

     

    Introduction

    Knowing the fundamentals of law is generally known to be legal awareness. People from underprivileged or isolated groups can identify abuses and fight against them when they are aware of what the law can do for them. Legal understanding is the first step towards learning the law, which can change people's lives. CHRI strongly believes that it is necessary to use this education as a tool for vulnerable populations in order to comprehend the legal system, become acquainted with their legal rights, and ultimately assert those rights in order to affect social change. Being aware of the legal system, involvement in the creation of laws, and the authority of law is beneficial. In addition to opening one's eyes, legal knowledge is the most effective weapon against abuse and helps a person free themselves from the government or any other established authority. The bulk of our people are not familiar with their rights or the nation's law framework. Although they are aware of it, people cannot afford it due to their economic and societal obstacles. Because it has been a costly issue, they are unable to hire the services of legal counsel. By enacting the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution in 1976, the Indian Parliament included a specific Directive Principle, known as Article 39-A, with the goal of offering free legal aid to deserving segments of society. Our nation is both a welfare state and a democracy. The foundation upon which the democracy system has been constructed is known as "Rule of Law." "Rule of Law" refers to equality before the law. Aside from heinous crimes like rape, murder, and looting, we hear news reports every day about atrocities committed against women and children, excesses by law enforcement agencies, harassment of citizens by officials, cheating by sellers of goods, exploitation of the weak, and stories of discrimination and deprivation in society. The truth is that people frequently are ignorant of the law and the rights that it grants for their security. Guidelines for the well being of the socially and economically vulnerable part of society are stated in the Directive Principles of the Constitution. To help the socially and economically vulnerable people of the community, a number of laws have been passed. They do not, however, profit from these rules because they are unaware of them. Every nation has established rights and obligations for its citizens. The legal procedures, associated legal provisions, and citizens' rights need to be known. Sadly, illiterates are not the only ones who lack legal knowledge. Even learned people frequently do not understand their rights and obligations. Only when every citizen is fully aware of the rights they have and knows how to utilise them can a society progress. Citizens are given the ability to demand justice and seek redress for wrongs done to them as a result. Greater harmony, responsibility, and transparency at all levels would result from holding such a role, which is a requirement for advancement and growth. In this regard, the instances of Europe and the United States are notable. Comparatively speaking, they portray a more just society than many other emerging nations.

     

    Need of Legal Awareness

    Spreading legal awareness among the public is essential to the growth of a country where everyone coexists peacefully and a just society is maintained. The purpose of spreading legal knowledge is to strengthen people before they ever need it. If they do, then, at the very least, those who have recently gained legal knowledge will be able to use it to their advantage.

    A rise in the country's literacy rate. Legal education can be provided in schools and universities with the goal of educating students so they can then pass that knowledge on to their peers and parents. In particular, women and girls can be educated on the various legal safeguards and processes to use when approaching police stations and tribunals to defend their rights and resolve issues. People from Kerala are more aware of their legal rights than people from other states are in our own country due to high literacy rates.

    Making people conscious of their rights and obligations and enforcing justice would not be a difficult job if other political and governmental groups came up with such ideas like Organizations like "SEWA" "MARG" among others, have been doing ground-breaking work to increase public knowledge of the law. It is necessary to support such efforts.

    The Indian Constitution guarantees an autonomous and unbiased judiciary, so the court must be independent and impartial. Enlightening of legal education consists of a variety of events aimed at raising public consciousness about the law and the justice system. It involves offering free legal assistance to the weak and poor who cannot afford to employ a lawyer to defend them in court, in front of a jury, or before an authority. A vulnerable, illiterate individual lacks a legitimate right to pursue justice up until the point at which he gets legal representation.

    Given the state of the world today, issues like women's empowerment and the legal protections they have to combat abuses are only a distant dream for those who lack legal knowledge. The lack of economic possibilities, financial resources, property ownership and inheritance, access to education, and women's limited involvement in decision-making are all clearly related to their poverty.

    Rights that everyone should be knowledgeable of:

    Article 24(1): Women's rights to full and equal legal protection and the prohibition against discrimination based on gender or marital status.

    Article 15(1): Within the boundaries of India, the State shall not refuse to any individual the equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws. prejudice against people based on their birthplace, race, caste, faith, or gender is forbidden.

    Article 19: Right to Freedom ensures, among other things, the freedoms of mobility, of expression, and of livelihood.

    Article 32: According to this Article, anyone who believes their fundamental rights have been violated may file a case with the Supreme Court of India.

    Human rights cover a wide range of rights, such as the freedom from exploitation and torture, the right to life and independence, the freedom of speech, the right to a livelihood and an education, among many others. These liberties apply to everyone without exception.

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    Tags: india, constitution, human rights, legal awareness, legal aid

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