National Legal Aid Day-2025 celebrated in Rajshahi. Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, April 28, 2025 (BSS) - Speakers at a discussion here today called upon lawyers and others concerned to be more sincere for ensuring legal aids to the grassroots poor, distressed and other litigants.

The District Legal Aid Committee organized the discussion at the conference hall of Chief Judicial Magistrate Court to mark the National Legal Aid Day-2025 today, celebrated nationwide.

The theme of the day for this year is - "Conflict brings no happiness, so embrace compromise, brother. Legal aid is here for you- no need to worry."

Highlighting that all citizens are equal before the law, speakers stressed that access to legal support should be guaranteed for everyone, especially the underprivileged.
 
They also urged for the prioritization of legal aid cases to expedite their disposal, thereby serving the best interests of distressed communities.

With Senior District and Session Judge and Chairman of District Legal Aid Committee Golok Chandra Biswas in the chair, the meeting was addressed, among others, by Al Asad Muhammad Asifuzzaman, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Hamidul Haque, Chief Judicial Magistrate Abdul Maleque, Deputy Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Golam Rabbani Sheikh and Additional District Magistrate Umme Kulsum Shampa.

The speakers unanimously emphasised the need for concerted efforts of all quarters to ensure access to justice of the distressed and disadvantaged people.
 
They viewed that infusing dynamism in the legal aid services could be the effective means of attaining the cherished goal.
 
District Legal Aid Committee Chairman Golok Chandra Biswash said only the judiciary or any other organisation is not sufficient to ensure legal aid to the underprivileged people, but a comprehensive effort is essential in this regard.
 
Besides, he called for a comprehensive and collaborative approach to extend legal services, particularly to those at the grassroots and to protect the fundamental rights of the poor and distressed.

Earlier, the committee members brought out a rally from the District Sessions Judge's court premises and ended at the same place after parading main streets.

Various other government and non-government organizations, including district and police administration, Jatiya Mohila Ainjibi Samity, Brac, ACD, Sachetan, Paribartan and BLAST, joined the rally and discussion.