Arjun Ram Meghwal: Justice must reach every individual, not just courtrooms
Synopsis
At a high-level judicial conference in Indore, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal pushed for justice to move beyond courtroom walls, framing it as a constitutional obligation. With the Chief Justice of India in attendance and mediation reform on the agenda, the two-day West Zone meet signals a serious national push to make India's justice system more accessible and community-driven.
Key Takeaways
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said justice must reach every individual as a constitutional commitment, speaking in Indore on 8 August .
The West Zone Regional Conference on 'Enhancing Access to Justice' runs from 8 to 9 August at the Brilliant Convention Centre, Indore .
Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant , Patron-in-Chief of NALSA , inaugurated the conference.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and multiple Supreme Court judges are attending.
The first technical session focuses on mediation and community-based dispute resolution beyond courtrooms.
The conference is jointly organised by NALSA , the MP State Legal Services Authority , and the Madhya Pradesh High Court .
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal on Saturday, 8 August declared that justice cannot remain confined to courtrooms and must reach every individual as a constitutional commitment. He was speaking at the inaugural session of the two-day West Zone Regional Conference on 'Enhancing Access to Justice' held at the Brilliant Convention Centre in Indore.
Key Remarks by the Minister
Meghwal described the conference as more than a routine gathering, calling it a vision-setting exercise for the future of India's justice system. 'This two-day conference is not merely an event; it represents a vision that will guide the future of India's justice system,' he said.
He invoked India's civilisational heritage, noting that the country is globally recognised as the 'Mother of Democracy', but that its identity runs deeper — rooted in centuries of emphasis on the rule of law, natural justice, consensus-building, dialogue, mediation, and public welfare. He argued that Indian thought has always been grounded in morality, equality, and human dignity, values that are now enshrined in the Constitution.
'This is precisely why the framers of our Constitution accorded the foremost place to Justice in the Preamble. Social, economic and political justice are not just three words; they constitute the cornerstone of India's constitutional philosophy,' Meghwal said.
Conference Structure and Organisers
The two-day conference, running from 8 to 9 August, is being held under the joint auspices of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), New Delhi, the Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority, and the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The conference was inaugurated by Chief Justice of India and Patron-in-Chief of NALSA, Justice Surya Kant, along with other judges, through the lighting of a ceremonial lamp. Specially-abled children welcomed the judiciary at the venue.
High-Level Attendance
The conference has drawn significant judicial and political presence. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Supreme Court Judge and Executive Chairman of NALSA Justice Vikram Nath, Supreme Court Judge and Supervising Judge of the Goa State Legal Services Authority Justice Manmohan, Acting Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court and Patron-in-Chief of the Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority Justice Vivek Rusia, Justice Anand Pathak, and judges from High Courts across the western zone are attending. Judicial officers, officials from legal services authorities, and other stakeholders are also participating.
Focus Areas and What Comes Next
The first technical session is set to deliberate on 'Mediation beyond the courts: Building a culture of dialogue, community resolution, and inclusive participation'. Discussions will centre on strengthening mediation and community-based dispute resolution mechanisms, aiming to cultivate a broader culture of dialogue that moves beyond conventional courtroom proceedings.
The conference's overarching goal is to make justice more accessible, inclusive, and people-centric — a theme that aligns with ongoing national efforts to decongest courts and expand legal aid. The outcomes of the two-day deliberations are expected to feed into policy recommendations for legal services authorities across the western zone.
Point of View
Yet access to justice remains deeply unequal across income, geography, and literacy lines. The emphasis on mediation and community resolution is a pragmatic acknowledgement that courts alone cannot absorb the country's dispute load. What the conference must produce is not more vision statements but concrete, time-bound targets for legal services penetration at the district and taluka level — the layer where most Indians first encounter, or are denied, justice.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the West Zone Regional Conference on Enhancing Access to Justice?
It is a two-day conference held on 8 and 9 August in Indore, jointly organised by NALSA, the Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority, and the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The conference aims to deliberate on making justice more accessible, inclusive, and people-centric across the western zone.
What did Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal say at the conference?
Meghwal said justice cannot remain confined to courtrooms and must reach every individual as a constitutional commitment. He also invoked India's civilisational heritage, arguing that principles of natural justice, mediation, and public welfare have deep historical roots that are now reflected in the Constitution.
Who inaugurated the West Zone Justice Conference in Indore?
Chief Justice of India and Patron-in-Chief of NALSA, Justice Surya Kant, inaugurated the conference by lighting a ceremonial lamp, along with other judges in attendance.
What is the focus of the first technical session at the conference?
The first technical session focuses on 'Mediation beyond the courts: Building a culture of dialogue, community resolution, and inclusive participation', aiming to strengthen mediation and community-based dispute resolution mechanisms.
Who else is attending the Indore justice conference?
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Supreme Court Judges Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Manmohan, Acting Chief Justice of the MP High Court Justice Vivek Rusia, Justice Anand Pathak, and judges from High Courts across the western zone are attending, along with judicial officers and legal services authority officials.
