Justice MY Eqbal of the Supreme Court on Saturday asked aspiring lawyers from Ranchi University (RU) to spread legal awareness among the villagers. The justice advised the students to pursue the course and do their internships as a mission.
"To prove yourself as a dedicated lawyer visit the rural places for spreading legal awareness," said Justice Eqbal.
He further said, "BA llB students must undergo one year internship with dedication and devotion after their course completion like MBBS students."
During an interaction with the students, Justice Eqbal appreciated each and every question of the students. Rohan Kacchap, a student of Chhota Nagpur law College asked, "How can we get proper coordination from the villagers during our rural internshipIJ" On this the Justice suggested to intimate the chairman and secretary of District and Block legal offices prior to going for internship at any village.
Another student asked how a Below Poverty level student can opt for Diploma in Corporate lawIJ Justice Eqbal told that Government welfare schemes are available for this. On this, RU Vice-Chancellor (VC) Dr. lN Bhagat announced RU's plan to incorporate Diploma in Corporate law and Income Tax law by next academic session.
Bhagat expressed his desire to begin a post-graduate law department at RU. On this Justice Eqbal advised VC to approach the State Human Resource Development (HRD) department for processing the formalities concerning this department.
Justice Eqbal even assured the VC to provide required help in establishing the department with the help of Jharkhand State legal Services Authority (JHAlSA) members.
"We would send a proposal to establishing this department to the Central Government. We do not expect anything from the State Government," said Bhagat.
Article 39-A was highlighted by Jharkhand High Court Chief Justice Prakash Chandra Tatia which states that the State shall in particular, provide free legal aid, by suitable legislation or schemes, to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen.
Chief Justice Tatia said, "There are three types of people in our country. Some are not aware of law whereas some are vaguely aware. There are also people who commit illegal activities despite knowing about law. In such scenario, the role of lawyers increases for spreading legal awareness among the mass."
"Village level legal authority must be established for legal awareness. Forests are being encroached but people are not aware of Right to Education and Right to Forest," added Justice Tatia.
Justice Eqbal, an alumnus of RU second batch of BA llB, was felicitated by RU VC at this programme for being appointed as a judge of Supreme Court.
RU Registrar AK Choudhary, JHAlSA Executive Chairman Dhirubhai Naranbhai Patel, NSS Coordinator PK Jha and students of RU and Chotanagpur law College were present here. A legal Cell was inaugurated by the dignitaries at Central library after this programme.