BJP MLA Rajeshwar Singh addressing a letter to the Union Education Minister and CM Yogi, demanding to make legal education compulsory

Dr. Rajeshwar Singh, MLA, Sarojini Nagar has written to the Hon’ble Union Education Minister, and Hon’ble Chief Minister of the State of Uttar Pradesh to mandate the provision of basic legal
education at school level across India. India has one of the youngest populations in the world. The data published by the National Crime Records Bureau for the year 2021 demonstrates that the rate of crimes committed by juveniles in the country has steadily increased from 29,768 cases in 2020 to 31,170 cases in 2021, showing a 4.7% increase.

Deterrence effect on Criminal Activity

One of the primary causes behind high rates of juvenile delinquency is the lack of legal literacy among young adults. Awareness of the penal consequences of criminal actions would deter those who might wish to perpetrate such crimes, due to the fear of punishment. Thus, imparting basic knowledge in relation to these offenceswould yield positive results and bring a positive change in society, and would lead to lesser offenses being committed by minors.

Reduction of burden on the Judiciary

According to the National Judicial Data Grid, as of September 2021, 4.5 crore cases are pending across all courts in India making the Case Clearance Rate is extremely low. Provision of Legal education will increase the awareness levels and deter crime thus subsequently reducing the burden on the Judiciary.

The Constitution ensures every person’s right to lead a life with human dignity (Article 21)

This consequently encompasses the right to receive a legal education (Article 21A) and right to receive free legal aid (Article 39A). This is of utmost importance, particularly in a country where pleading ignorance of the law ‘ignorantia juris non excusat’ is not permissible and coercive powers are available with the police. Imparting legal education will make all citizens aware of their legal rights and help them assert them across all walks of life. Thus, access to legal education will help actualize the Constitutional vision of a fair and accessible justice system for all.

Foster civic responsibility and public service resulting in Societal Progress and cohesion

Education of law encourages rational reasoning amongst students, thereby making them less likely to give in to rhetorical arguments and stereotypes that plague Indian society causing divisions across various facets. It will equip them with a clear vision of what should be done and how it can be done resulting in an egalitarian state and uplifting justice.

Provide a global perspective

As of January 2021, as many as one million Indian students were studying in foreign countries. Thus, a detailed study of the basic legal system of the country would prove to be helpful to students going to study in foreign countries. Thus, Legal education can aim to provide a global perspective by exposing students to different legal systems and cultures, and by encouraging them to think about the role of law in an increasingly interconnected world. The significance of integrating crime prevention and criminal justice into all levels of education has also been recognized by UN Organizations as an effective form of building long-term approaches to countering crime and violence. In view of this recognition, the Doha Declaration was adopted at the 13th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.

The Introduction of a Bill to introduce legislation to govern the inclusion of legal education even if not in the form of a separate mandatory course, at the very least be integrated into the preexisting mandatory subjects in schools by way of additional chapters at the secondary and higher secondary levels is thus the need of the hour.

The youth is enveloped in a protective and safe bubble till the age of 18, and all of a sudden on graduating from school they are exposed to the real world where they are officially adults and
legally liable for all their actions. Thus, it is our duty as a society to ensure that they are provided with the maximum possible ammunition to ensure a safe and secure passage into adulthood for
their well-being and growth.