Rijiju releases first edition of Dogri version of Indian Constitution

Terms document significant in making justice dispensation for common man easier, accessible, affordable

JAMMU, April 8: Union Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, today released the first edition of Dogri version of the Constitution of India at University of Jammu here.

Chief Justice of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, Justice Kotishwar Singh, Senior Judges of High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Vice Chancellor, JU, Professor Umesh Rai, Secretary, Law, Achal Sethi, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Avny Lavasa, faculty members of the University, senior functionaries from the Center and J&K government were present on the occasion.

Speaking during the event, the Union Minister termed this translated document very significant in dispensation of justice to common people. He maintained that understanding law is essential in accessing justice by a common person and it can’t be done better than having it codified in one’s mother tongue.

He remarked that although the task has been accomplished a bit late after enshrining Dogri language in the 8th schedule of the Constitution back in 2003 but the cause of furthering its impact among people should not be delayed any further. He applauded the varsity for providing necessary support to the translators for this noble work.

Regarding developments with respect to making the process of justice delivery easy and affordable, he revealed that the government is digitizing a whole array of about 65000 words of legal glossary to frame a core vocabulary for understanding of all the citizens.

He also informed that the Rs 9000 crore for upgradation of infrastructure at lower judiciary and Rs 7000 crore for e-Courts project is aimed at making the process of delivery of Justice easily accessible and freely available. He recalled that the time is not far when our courts would become totally paperless after completion of the 3rd phase of e-Court project. He said that the project has greatly aided in the working of courts during Covid-19 pandemic.

Rijiju, in his remarks, described the technology as a solution to reduce pendency of cases in our courts. He stated that it pains him to see about 5 crore cases still pending for their final disposal. He made out that the technology can come to our rescue to even extend the benches of Supreme Court, High Courts or even Lower Courts beyond the four walls of their complexes.

Union Minister greatly admired the young lawyers who contribute in furthering the agenda of National Legal Services Authority in providing free justice to people. He pointed out that the concept of pro bono is a wonderful cause and the elite lawyers should also contribute in extending their services through this programme for the larger good of public. He asserted that the judiciary has vital function of striking balance between ensuring freedom of speech and safeguarding the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the nation simultaneously.

In his speech, Chief Justice N Kotishwar Singh said that all the legal discourses whether academic or legal are meant to benefit public. He said that the purpose can only be served better if such debates are also comprehensible to common masses. He gave out that the same is possible only when the law of the land is available to masses in the language they understand well.

He further said that our brightest minds were there to frame our Constitution. Those who say that the values of Justice, Liberty, Fraternity and Equality were borrowed are unaware about the concept of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ which enshrines in itself these higher principles much before than presented by the west.

Justice Kotishwar also stated that the democratization of justice is important in a way to make justice available to rich and poor alike. He maintained that an informed decision about any legal matter can be taken by having both facts and law at hand. He enunciated that the knowledge of law empowers people without any discrimination.

In his welcome address, Vice Chancellor, Jammu University, Professor Umesh Rai, said that the document is a joint accomplishment of Department of Law, GoI and the University that came to fruition after the hard work of 3 years. He observed that it would aid people in understanding and demanding their constitutionally enshrined rights. He also applauded those who contributed in making this translation work possible. He made out that the motive of ‘Viksit Bharat’ is incomplete without going back to our rich culture and heritage.

Those who were felicitated by the Union Minister on the occasion for this translation work included Professor Archana Kesar, the then Head, Department of Dogri, University of Jammu, Prakash Premi, Dogri writer and Translator, Yash Paul Nirmal, Dogri writer and Translator; and Nirmal Vikram, Dogri writer and translator.