Inauguration of Legal Aid Clinic at St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata

The Legal Aid Clinic strives to teach the underprivileged the fundamentals of the law while also offering legal assistance and education. The North 24 Parganas District Legal Services Authorities and the Legal Aid Clinic have officially joined forces, and on August 25, 2022, at 3:45 PM, a brief ceremony was held to mark the occasion.

The objective of the Xavier Law School Legal Aid Clinic is to give students a place to develop the qualities of a socially conscious lawyer and a spirit of public service, while also allowing them to observe the law in action by empowering the local community.

The clinic named Dr B.R. Ambedkar Legal Aid Clinic was inaugurated by the Ld. District and Sessions Judge and Chairman District Legal Services Authorities, North 24 Parganas Madam Nabanita Ray in the presence of Mr Soumen Sarkar, Additional District and Sessions Judge and Secretary in charge District Legal Services Authorities, North 24 Parganas, Father John Felix Raj, S.J. Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata, Prof. Ashis Mitra, Registrar, St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata, Dr Pratyusha Das, Dean, Xavier Law School, Officers of the University, faculty members and students of Xavier Law School and villagers of the nearby villages namely Kulberia, Kathalberia and Dharmatalla Pachuria.

Dr Ranjeeta Mukherjee, the professor in charge of the Legal Aid Clinic, explained its goals and operations, and Ld. Judge Nabanita Ray provided her with insightful advice on how to ensure the Clinic's smooth operation. She proposed having paralegal volunteers from the District Legal Services Authorities staff the Clinic every alternate Saturday. Pre-litigation disputes brought to the clinic would be tried to be settled peacefully by the paralegal volunteer or lawyer assigned to the clinic. It would enable residents of the nearby villages to obtain free legal assistance.

The festivities continue with a programme that was planned for Father Albert Huart Hall. The felicitation of the honourable visitors kicked off the programme. Vice Chancellor Rev. Fr. John Felix Raj gave an introduction before formally kicking off the programme. NIHIL ULTRA, the motto of St. Xavier's University in Kolkata, was the way he concluded his address. The audience was then graciously informed of the purpose and goals of the legal aid clinic by Ld. District Judge Nabanita Ray. For the locals to understand and relate to what was being stated, she spoke to them in Bengali.

The dignitaries unveiled the digital poster for the twice-monthly Dr B.R. Ambedkar Legal Aid Clinic programme. After that, the area was made ready for the Nukkad Natak (stagged by the students of Xavier Law School). The Nukkad Natak expertly depicted the life of a smart youngster who was denied his rights because he belonged to the underclass of society. The play's primary goal was to educate the villagers about their rights, which include the right to education, the right against labour exploitation, and the right against discrimination. The Nukkad Natak concluded with a strong message on how crucial it is to understand your rights. The event's success was acknowledged by a minute-long round of applause from the audience.

The programme came to a close with the curtain call and a thank-you speech from the dean of Xavier Law School. The Xavier Law School hopes to take part in additional initiatives like this to spread legal knowledge.

As the motto says - Connecting law with lives.