Asansol, August 27: In a novel and commendable initiative, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) of Paschim Bardhaman has taken steps to establish equal rights for women across all strata of society, curb the rising crimes against women and children, and foster legal awareness and a sense of rights among the general public. In recent times, the safety of women and children has become a highly sensitive issue. Against this backdrop, street plays were utilized to deliver the message of awareness right to the doorstep of the common people.
Through this street play organized in a crowded area of Asansol on Thursday, the message of gender equality and child protection was conveyed to people from all walks of life in a very simple and forceful language. Notably, August 26 was international 'Women's Equality Day'. However, since that day was a public holiday, this special awareness program was organized on Thursday, the very next day, keeping this significant day in the foreground.
The core theme of Thursday's street play centered around several grave ailments of contemporary society. Through dramatic performances, strong messages were conveyed against the spread of pornography, building resistance against anti-social practices like child marriage, and superstitions such as depriving girls of higher education and learning opportunities. At the same time, the general public was made aware of various crimes committed against women and children, and shown the direction on how to protest against any injustice through legal channels.
Speaking about this entire event and initiative, Amrapali Chakraborty, Secretary of the organizing District Legal Services Authority, stated very emphatically that according to the Indian Constitution, every citizen of the country has the fundamental right to live with their head held high. Any discrimination between boys and girls in terms of opportunities in education, employment, and every sphere of life is legally punishable and unconstitutional. No one's birthright should be curtailed on the basis of religion, caste, or gender. This fundamental and eternal message of the law was presented to ordinary passersby through an engaging street play, which deeply influenced the audience present.
This noble event of legal awareness was attended by the District Judge of Paschim Bardhaman district, the Police Commissioner of Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate, the DCP (Central), along with several top officials from the district administration and police department. The presence of these top administrative officials further enhanced the importance and gravity of the event.
One of the main attractions of the event was its performance. Dedicated Para-Legal Volunteers (PLVs) of the District Legal Services Authority skillfully participated in the street play. Additionally, children and adolescents from a local voluntary organization spontaneously joined this initiative, which added a different dimension to the event. Common people and pedestrians walking down the street also highly praised this awareness initiative, and many stopped to enjoy the entire play.
According to legal experts, the main objective of such initiatives by the District Legal Services Authority is not to keep the law confined within the four walls of courts or documents, but to reach it to the common people at the very grassroots level of society. The more easily ordinary people understand the lessons of legal rights and duties, the faster crime will decrease from society. The organizers have stated that more such public awareness camps and programs will be undertaken across Paschim Bardhaman district in the coming days.
