Follow India’s example, review colonial laws: VP to Global South nations
The News Freedom
www.thenewsfreedom.in
New Delhi, November 27
Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar, today highlighted that the legacy of colonial laws has been highly burdensome to the vulnerable sections in the countries of the Global South. Describing these laws as very harsh, oppressive and exploitative for the local population, VP Dhankhar asserted that the time has come when Global South nations should follow India’s example and consider reviewing old colonial laws that perpetuate prejudice against local populations.
The Vice President made these remarks while addressing the first regional conference on “Ensuring Access to Quality Legal Aid for the Vulnerable: Challenges and Opportunities in the Global South”. The conference has been organised by The National Legal Services Authority of India together with- the International Legal Foundation, the UNDP and UNICEF.
“As the Global South embarks on its journey towards a brighter future, it is imperative to shed the shackles of its colonial past and strive together to reverse the historical wrongs that have perpetuated injustice and inequality. This is a common threat,” the Vice President said.
Noting that India is in the process of reviewing outdated legislation, Dhankhar emphasized that it will bring about a sea-change in our outlook and totally contain, curb and decimate those exploitative provisions. “The countries of the global south will do well to closely study the action that India has taken in these areas and apply them to their countries after suitably customizing,” he suggested.
Mentioning that just a few years ago, no one was even aware of the term ‘Global South’, Dhankhar credited the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi for bringing it to the central stage and positioning it in a forum like G20 primarily dominated by developed countries. The success achieved by the inclusion of the African Union in G20 alongside the European Union is remarkable and very equitable, he added.
Asserting that India’s ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam are now translated into a ground reality, VP stressed that “Rise of global south would constitute the greatest stabilizing force for the world and it’ll generate the growth trajectory of the world.”
Referring to the shared history of colonial oppression and suffering, the Vice President underlined that we have a deep emotive connection as a nation with the nations of the global South culturally and otherwise. “The negative aspects of colonial rule bind us together. We have suffered through the ages and we have to mitigate the suffering by learning from one another,” he added.
Noting that deprivation of access to the justice system and denial of legal aid, present existential challenges to the vulnerable sections, the Vice President stressed the need to neutralize these challenges by affirmative policies and initiatives to secure justice for all. “Let’s strive for a world where justice is a fundamental right, accessible to all, regardless of background, circumstances, or location,” he asserted.
The deprivation of access to the justice system and the denial of legal aid pose existential challenges to the vulnerable and weaker sections.
We must neutralise these challenges through affirmative policies and initiatives to secure justice for them. #NALSA pic.twitter.com/G4kKYvppeL
— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) November 27, 2023
Praising the Chief Justice of India for a series of affirmative, innovative people-centric steps to ensure access to justice for vulnerable sections, the Vice President called for reimagining legal aid, harnessing technology, empowering communities, and bridging the gap between legal services and those in need. “Undoubtedly access to legal aid and the justice system is quintessential to nurturing and blossoming of fundamental human values and fostering equitable societies,” he underlined.
Praising NALSA as a beacon of inclusive and affordable legal aid for India’s marginalized communities, the Vice President said that the NALSA model of justice delivery is worth emulation by the nations of the Global South.
Dr. Justice, D. Y. Chandrachud , the Chief Justice of India and patronage Chief, NALSA, Justice Sanjay KishanKaul, Judge, Supreme Court of India and Executive Chairman, NALSA, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Minister for Law and Justice , Justice Sanjeev Khanna, Judge, Supreme Court of India and Chairman, Supreme Court Legal Services Committee, Amitabh Kant, India G20 Sherpa, R. Venkataramani, the Attorney General of India, Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General of India, Adish Aggarwala, president of the Supreme Court Bar of Association, S.K.G. Rathi, Secretary Department of Justice, delegates from various countries and other dignitaries attended the event.