Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant on Saturday, 8 August called for a fundamentally more inclusive justice delivery system, asserting that meaningful access to justice begins not with legislation but with dialogue — and that the legal system must engage with communities in their own languages and dialects. His remarks came at the inauguration of the two-day West Zone Regional Conference on 'Enhancing Access to Justice' held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

Key Remarks from the CJI

Addressing the conference themed around 'United Voice' and 'Stronger Tomorrow', CJI Surya Kant said these principles must not remain ceremonial slogans but must define how the legal system actually engages with citizens. 'I do not view these words merely as slogans for a banner, instead, I see them as an accurate description of what the legal system looks like when it truly functions,' he said.

He underscored that justice cannot be delivered in isolation from the people it serves. 'Access to justice has never been built by laws alone; it begins with a conversation. Before justice is delivered, people must feel that they have been heard,' the CJI said.

The Devi Ahilya Bai Parallel

CJI Surya Kant drew a pointed historical parallel, invoking Indore's association with Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar, the 18th-century ruler celebrated for her direct, intermediary-free approach to governance. He noted that she would meet farmers, widows, and traders without barriers between the ruler and the ruled — and described the choice of Indore as the conference venue as particularly fitting given that legacy.

Role of Paralegal Volunteers and Local Engagement

Emphasising the irreplaceable role of paralegal volunteers and legal services institutions, the CJI said local problems demand local solutions — and that identifying those solutions requires direct, sustained engagement with communities on the ground. He stressed that legal services personnel must be conversant in local languages and dialects to genuinely comprehend the concerns of ordinary citizens.

'Unless you communicate in their language and truly grasp the concerns of the common people by listening to their own words, how can you devise a solution?' he said. He also underlined that dialogue within the justice system must be bidirectional — the system must not merely issue decisions but must listen and respond to community concerns.

Conference Details and Attendees

The conference, being held on 8 and 9 August, is organised jointly by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), New Delhi; the Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority, Jabalpur; and the Madhya Pradesh High Court. It was inaugurated by CJI Surya Kant, who serves as Patron-in-Chief of NALSA, along with other judges, through the lighting of the ceremonial lamp.

Among those in attendance are Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, Supreme Court and High Court judges, office-bearers of Legal Services Authorities, and judicial officers. The conference is focused on strengthening legal aid, mediation, and community-level dispute resolution mechanisms to make justice more accessible across the region.