Srinagar: Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai has made a compelling appeal for the revival of Kashmir’s pluralistic legacy and called for urgent efforts to make legal rights meaningful through informed citizenship. Addressing the Northern Region Conference of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) on Sunday, the CJI underlined the vital role of legal awareness in ensuring that constitutional rights translate into real justice.
In an emotionally resonant speech delivered in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, CJI Gavai said, “Unless people are aware of their rights, these rights have no meaning.” His remarks come at a time when the legal and social landscape of Kashmir is evolving in the wake of systemic reforms and efforts to rebuild trust.
Legal Rights Need Informed Citizenship
Speaking to a gathering of judges, lawyers, and public officials at the NALSA conference, CJI Gavai stressed that legal institutions must work hand-in-hand to ensure access to justice in the remotest corners of the country. “Judges and lawyers have to work together to ensure justice for the last citizen of the country,” he said, adding that NALSA is actively pushing legal aid outreach to distant regions.
He highlighted that the democratization of legal knowledge was not only an institutional responsibility but also a national imperative to strengthen the constitutional fabric.
‘Remove Anomalies of the Past, Restore Harmony’
Turning his focus to Kashmir, the CJI acknowledged the challenges that have marred the region over the past three decades. Without naming specific incidents, he called for healing and correction of past distortions.
“There have been some anomalies, but we have to work to remove them. This interaction between judges and lawyers will provide a new perspective,” he said. Referring to the Kashmir of yesteryears—marked by interfaith unity among Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs—Justice Gavai said the judiciary could play a key role in rebuilding that harmony.
Kashmir Feels Like Home: CJI
Reflecting on his travels across Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, Justice Gavai said he felt a deep emotional connection with the region. “It feels as if I have come to my hometown,” he remarked. He praised the people of the two Union Territories for their warmth and inclusiveness.
“The Sufi tradition here promotes secularism enshrined in our Constitution. Dargahs, temples, and other places of worship are visited by people of all faiths. This embodies the spirit of India,” he said, reaffirming his belief in the region’s pluralistic soul.
Bar Issues Will Be Conveyed to Collegium
Responding to concerns raised by bar representatives from Ladakh, Kashmir, and Jammu, the Chief Justice noted that while he could not directly intervene, he would forward their issues to the appropriate authorities, including the Collegium.
In closing, CJI Gavai reinforced the need for institutions like NALSA to bridge the gap between rights and real-world access to justice, particularly in areas historically underserved by legal infrastructure.
