New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday underlined the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that justice is accessible, affordable and efficient for every citizen, regardless of their social or financial background. Addressing the National Conference on Strengthening Legal Aid Delivery Mechanisms in New Delhi, he said that “Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living are incomplete without Ease of Justice.”
The event, organised to mark Legal Services Day and the 20th National Conference of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), brought together the Chief Justice of India Justice B.R. Gavai, Supreme Court judges, Chief Justices of various High Courts, and senior government officials including Union Minister of State for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal.
Justice for All, Not Just the Privileged
Beginning his address, the Prime Minister congratulated the participants and hailed the efforts of the judiciary and legal services authorities across the country for their continued work in making justice accessible. “When justice is timely and reaches everyone—irrespective of their social or financial status—it becomes the true foundation of social justice,” he remarked.
He praised the role of Lok Adalats and pre-litigation settlements in resolving disputes quickly, amicably and at low cost. Under the Legal Aid Defence Counsel System, launched three years ago, nearly eight lakh criminal cases have already been settled. Modi described this as a milestone in bringing “ease of justice to the poor, the Dalits, the oppressed, and the deprived.”
Building a Legal System that Empowers Citizens
Highlighting the government’s broader reform agenda, the Prime Minister noted that over the past 11 years, significant progress has been made in improving the Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living. “More than 40,000 unnecessary compliances have been scrapped, over 3,400 legal provisions have been decriminalised through the Jan Vishwas Act, and more than 1,500 obsolete laws have been repealed,” he said.
He also pointed out that the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita has replaced outdated legal codes, modernising India’s legal framework. “All these efforts ensure that governance is efficient and citizen-centric—but true progress comes only when access to justice is equally streamlined,” he stressed.
NALSA at 30: A Legacy of Service
Reflecting on NALSA’s 30-year journey, Modi lauded its role in connecting the judiciary with citizens who often lack resources, representation or even hope. “Giving such individuals hope and support is the essence of service, and this spirit lives in the very name of NALSA,” he said, urging its members to continue their work with dedication and professionalism.
He also launched NALSA’s Community Mediation Training Module, calling it a step towards reviving India’s age-old tradition of resolving disputes through dialogue and consensus. From village councils to community elders, India’s mediation practices have deep cultural roots, he said. The Mediation Act, he added, is an effort to blend this ancient wisdom with a modern legal framework.
“The training module will create resources for community mediation, help resolve disputes locally, and reduce litigation. It will strengthen social harmony and peace in society,” Modi stated.
Technology: A Tool for Inclusion and Efficiency
Describing technology as a “force of democratization”, the Prime Minister noted how initiatives such as UPI have transformed everyday life by bringing even small vendors into the digital economy. “With millions of kilometres of optical fibre laid and nearly one lakh mobile towers launched recently in rural areas, digital connectivity is bridging the gap between cities and villages,” he said.
He drew a parallel with the E-Courts Project, which has modernised judicial procedures across the country. “From e-filing to video conferencing, from digital summons to virtual hearings—technology has made the path to justice simpler and more humane,” he said.
He announced that the budget for the third phase of the E-Courts Project has been increased to over ₹7,000 crore, reaffirming the government’s commitment to using technology to enhance access and efficiency in the judicial system.
Legal Awareness: The Cornerstone of Empowerment
The Prime Minister underlined that justice cannot be delivered unless citizens are aware of their rights. “A poor person cannot seek justice if they don’t understand their rights or are intimidated by the complexity of the system,” he said.
He called for expanding legal literacy among the weaker sections, women, and the elderly. Emphasising the role of youth, Modi suggested that law students should connect directly with rural communities to educate them about their legal rights and processes.
“If young law students work with self-help groups, cooperatives, and Panchayati Raj institutions, they can help carry legal knowledge to every doorstep and also gain a real understanding of society’s pulse,” he added.
Justice in a Language People Understand
In one of the most resonant parts of his speech, the Prime Minister spoke about the importance of language in justice delivery. “The language of law should be the language of the people,” he asserted.
He stressed that when laws are written and judgments are delivered in a language citizens can understand, compliance improves and litigation decreases. Modi praised the Supreme Court’s initiative to translate more than 80,000 judgments into 18 Indian languages, describing it as a “commendable step towards inclusivity.” He expressed hope that similar efforts would extend to the High Courts and district courts across the country.
Vision for a Developed India
As India moves towards its goal of becoming a developed nation, the Prime Minister urged the entire legal fraternity—from judges and lawyers to legal aid professionals—to reimagine the country’s justice delivery system for the future.
“We must ask ourselves what our justice system will look like when India becomes a developed nation,” he said. “We have to move together in that direction.”
Concluding his address, Modi congratulated NALSA, the judiciary, and all those engaged in the delivery of justice for their tireless service to the nation. He expressed gratitude for being invited to the conference and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to ensuring that justice reaches every citizen.
“Ease of Justice is not just about laws—it is about trust, fairness, and dignity for every Indian,” the Prime Minister said, closing his remarks to a standing ovation from the audience.