Over 200 paralegal volunteers across West Bengal have been trained under a WBNUJS, SLSA, and UNDP initiative to strengthen legal awareness and access to justice. Covering constitutional rights, gender justice, cybercrime, and new criminal laws, the programme equips PLVs to support marginalized communities and bridge gaps in the justice system
From Sher Ali Afridi’s defiance of colonial rule to Rahim Ali’s wrongful detention, Umar Khalid’s incarceration, and MF Husain’s exile, India’s history shows that political freedom alone is not enough. When laws enable injustice, independence remains incomplete, and the struggle for equality, dignity, and true justice must continue
At a Kolkata event, Prof. Apoorvanand warned that weekends have become dangerous for civil rights activists in India. Citing the arrest of Prof. Ali Khan and police actions in Bastar, he said the state uses “process as punishment” to silence dissent, especially against Muslims and marginalized voices.
India’s human rights record came under scrutiny as NGOs and activists highlighted systemic abuses, including the persecution of minorities, misuse of anti-terror laws, and escalating state-backed injustices. Calls for justice rang loud, urging action against lynchings, the incarceration of activists, and the destruction of homes under the guise of legality. The program marked the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with a renewed call for dignity, freedom, and justice for all