J&K LG Manoj Sinha at North Zone Legal Services Conference in Srinagar

In Indian civilisation, justice has always been regarded as the highest value. From the Vedas and Upanishads, composed more than 6,000 years ago, to the Mahabharata, justice has been placed at the centre of human life and governance. A Sanskrit verse says: “A body without limbs, a face without eyes, a kingdom without justice, and food without salt – all are incomplete and without grace.” This reflects the eternal truth that a state without a fair system of justice cannot prosper. The Mahabharata underlines this principle with the dictum “Yato Dharmastato Jaya” — where there is Dharma (justice), there is victory. The purpose of repeating this ideal across generations was to remind society that even in the most difficult circumstances, justice ensures triumph. For thousands of years, the Indian legal system has been seen not merely as an institution but as the very temple of justice — a sacred space where fairness is delivered without discrimination and equal access is ensured for all. This cultural ethos was carried into modern India when Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, in his historic address to the Constituent Assembly on 25th November 1949, emphasised that political democracy must be accompanied by social democracy. He stressed that liberty, equality, and fraternity are the three essential principles of free India, and that social and economic justice must be fully established so that no community, especially the poor, marginalised, and tribal sections, are left victims of injustice. Carrying this legacy forward in Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has emphasised that the Union Territory is witnessing a historic transformation in the sphere of justice and governance. Since 2019, nearly 890 central laws have been extended to J&K, many for the very first time. This landmark change ensured that citizens of Jammu and Kashmir could now benefit from the same rights and protections as the rest of the country. Laws guaranteeing the Right to Education, protection of sanitation workers, safeguards against atrocities on Dalits, the Minority Act, and the Minimum Wages Act were all implemented. Special provisions were also introduced for the welfare of soldiers and tribal communities. LG Manoj Sinha has consistently stressed that justice must not remain confined to statutes, but should reach the last person in society. Under his leadership, the Jammu and Kashmir Legal Services Authority has expanded its outreach by offering free legal aid, raising awareness, conducting Lok Adalats, and ensuring compensation for victims. Special attention is being given to marginalised groups such as transgender persons, senior citizens, disaster victims, and unorganised labourers. Legal aid clinics in prisons and literacy clubs in schools and colleges are nurturing awareness of constitutional values and rights among youth and vulnerable sections. The impact is visible. In 2025 alone, more than 12,000 people in Jammu and Kashmir have benefitted from legal aid schemes. LG Manoj Sinha has highlighted two communities in particular — soldiers and tribals. For decades, a tragic irony existed: a soldier could lay down his life defending the nation’s borders in J&K but had no legal right to build even a small house there. This injustice has now been corrected post-2019, ensuring dignity and rights for the families of martyrs and serving personnel. Similarly, nomadic tribal communities, often deprived of legal protections, are now receiving focused support to safeguard their rights and access justice. As LG Manoj Sinha often asserts, justice is not merely a legal principle — it is the foundation of peace, dignity, and prosperity. The new Jammu and Kashmir is setting an example for the nation by making justice more accessible, transparent, and inclusive.