DISHA Tele‑Law Workshop – Kurukshetra, 22 March 2026
Overview
The DISHA initiative organised a regional event cum workshop on 22 March 2026 at Kurukshetra University, Haryana. The programme, part of the Tele‑Law component, sought to strengthen access to justice through digital interventions.
Key Developments
- Addressed by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal and Haryana Chief Minister Shri Nayab Singh Saini.
- Flagging off of the DISHA Awareness Van to enhance last‑mile connectivity.
- Celebration of 150 years of the national song “Vande Mataram” by local artists.
- Launch of five e‑books on Customary Laws of the North‑Eastern Region and a Doordarshan documentary on DISHA.
- Showcase of grassroots legal services involving VLEs and Tele‑Law panel lawyers.
- Pro‑Bono initiatives by law colleges shared by faculty and students.
Important Facts
Approximately 900 participants attended physically, comprising High Court officials, State Legal Services Authority officers, advocates, government counsels, VLEs from CSC, Tele‑Law panel lawyers, and law students from several universities in Haryana. A sizable number of stakeholders joined virtually.
The agenda included a welcome address by the Secretary, Department of Justice, a progress review of DISHA in Haryana, live interactions with beneficiaries, and a segment on the Pro Bono work of law colleges.
UPSC Relevance
Understanding DISHA and Tele‑Law is essential for GS 2 (Polity) as they illustrate how the government leverages technology for service delivery, a key theme in e‑Governance. The involvement of VLEs and CSCs links to Digital India initiatives, relevant for GS 3 (Economy) and the study of public‑private partnerships. The focus on indigenous legal knowledge (customary laws) and community legal aid aligns with GS 1 (History & Culture) and GS 4 (Ethics) concerning social justice and empowerment.
Way Forward
- Scale up Tele‑Law centres across other states to ensure uniform access to justice.
- Strengthen capacity‑building for VLEs and CSC staff on legal service delivery.
- Encourage more law colleges to institutionalise Pro‑Bono clinics.
- Monitor impact through regular data collection and integrate customary law resources into mainstream legal databases.
- Promote awareness through digital campaigns and periodic workshops similar to the DISHA Awareness Van.
The workshop concluded with the presentation of mementos, a vote of thanks by the Joint Secretary (Access to Justice), the National Anthem, and high tea.