CENTRE FOR LAW AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

REPORT OF ACTIVITIES- 2023

 VISION OF THE CENTRE

The Centre aims to promote and integrate community- based research, teaching, and service
culture by collaborating with diverse partners and communities. Its primary objective is to foster
a deep commitment to social and ethical practices, develop solutions to pressing and complex
social justice problems, and encourage and support multidisciplinary collaboration and innovation.
For that purpose, the Centre undertakes the following activities from time to time:
- Promoting research, training, teaching, and practice in the area of law and social justice;
- Inculcating the habit amongst the students to research, analyze, and apply laws to the
present social milieus and identify the justice perspective;
- Building on theoretical knowledge through empirical and practical experiences of visiting
the communities in dire need of justice;
- Evaluating the socio-legal implications of laws and judgements to suggest and influence
policy decisions.
Report of Events
 SENSITIZATION AND LEGAL AWARENESS PROGRAM
ON TRANSGENDER RIGHTS AND THE LAW

DATE: 09.09.2023

The Centre for Social Justice at West Bengal National University Of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS),
in collaboration with Kolkata Anandam for Equality and Justice, organized a transformative
Sensitization and Legal Awareness program on Transgender Rights and the Law.
The event witnessed esteemed dignitaries and experts in attendance, including the Honourable
Minister of State, Shashi Panja, and prominent members of the legal community. Kolkata
Anandam for Equality and Justice has been dedicated to promoting the rights and well-
being of the LGBTQ+ community in West Bengal for over a decade. Their previous initiatives
have included collaborations with judicial officers and the police to enhance the quality of life and
secure the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.

With the enactment of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019 and the
subsequent Rules 2020, along with the ongoing development of the West Bengal Transgender
Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules 2022, this program was vital in bridging the gap between the
transgender community, law enforcement authorities, and the legal academia. WBNUJS has
consistently worked towards inclusivity through legal channels, and this event was a testament to
that commitment. The Sensitization and Legal Awareness program took place on September 9,
2023, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The stakeholders included the police, judicial officers, advocates,
and law students, all of whom play a crucial role in upholding the rights and welfare of transgender
persons. Judicial officers, SLSA empaneled advocates, and police officers attended to gain insights
into the legal aspects surrounding transgender rights.
The program aimed to achieve the following objectives:
1. Increase awareness and participation of the Police, Judicial Officers, and Advocates in
terms of their rights and duties.
2. Raise public awareness and educate about the discrimination faced by the LGBTQ+
community.
3. Provide a platform for individuals from the LGBTQ+ community to share their
experiences and perspectives.
 4. Sensitize society on how to coexist harmoniously with LGBTQ+ individuals.

The outcomes of the program included:

1. Sensitization of various stakeholders within the legal and judicial machinery of West
Bengal.
2. Encouragement of a consultative approach to the application of the new transgender
rights laws.
3. Publication of the output from each session, to be compiled at the end of the year. In
conclusion, the Sensitization and Legal Awareness program on Transgender Rights and
the Law was a significant step toward fostering understanding, empathy, and awareness
within society and the legal community.

The presence of distinguished individuals like Minister Shashi Panja, Justice Joymalya Baghchi,
Justice Jyotirmoy Bhattacharya, and Professor Dr. NK Chakraborty highlighted the importance of
the event. It is through collective efforts and continuous education that we can truly champion the
rights and dignity of transgender individuals in West Bengal and beyond.
 ONE DAY NAAC AWARENESS PROGRAM FOR LAW
COLLEGES IN WEST BENGAL

DATE: 02.06.2023
VENUE: ROOM 107, THE WEST BENGAL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF JURIDICAL SCIENCES,
KOLKATA
The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS) Kolkata in collaboration
with the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), Bengaluru organized a “One-
day Awareness Program for Law Colleges in West Bengal” on the 2nd of June, 2023 from 10 am
to 5 pm at the WBNUJS Campus. The program started with the inaugural address by the Hon’ble
Vice Chancellor, WBNUJS, Prof. (Dr.) Nirmal Kanti Chakrabarti followed by the welcome address
by Dr. Sanjit Kumar Chakraborty, Associate Professor, WBNUJS. The program was deliberated
by two eminent resource persons from NAAC, Dr Prashant Parhad, Deputy Adviser, NAAC,
Bengaluru, and Dr Priya Narayanan, Assistant Adviser, NAAC.

NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) was established in 1994 as an

autonomous institution of the UGC with its headquarters in Bengaluru. Its main objective is for
ensuring quality assurance in higher education. NAAC aims at stimulating the academic
environment for the promotion of quality teaching-learning and research in higher educational
institutions. It further aims to undertake quality-related research studies, consultancy and training
programmes. Further, NAAC encourages self-evaluation, accountability and innovations in higher
education. It aims for national development and promotes the use of technology.

The program was an initiative of NAAC to raise awareness among the law colleges in West Bengal
for NAAC accreditation. The program was attended by the Principal, HOD, and Lecturer in
Charge of several affiliated colleges of West Bengal located in various districts across the State.
The program was a huge success as the principals of several colleges raised their concerns regarding
NAAC accreditation of their colleges. In the 1st session, Dr. Priya Narayanan, Assistant Adviser,
NAAC deliberated upon the importance of NAAC accreditation of the colleges and also raised
awareness regarding the procedure involved in such accreditation. She also spoke about a new
manual of Law colleges which lays down the criteria for NAAC accreditation, expected to be on
the NAAC website by the end of June and also demonstrated the same before the audience. The
session was followed by a Q & A session of about 20 minutes wherein the questions raised were
very promptly answered by the resource person. The 1st session was followed by lunch.
In the 2nd session, Dr Prashant Parhad, Deputy Adviser, NAAC deliberated upon the
documentation involved in NAAC accreditation. He very well described the systematic process
for the accreditation and also spoke about the involvement of third parties in the said procedure.
He explained the criteria required for the colleges to get an “A+” grade in the process. The
enriching session lasted for two hours and was followed by a Q & A session. The event ended
with a Vote of thanks by the Registrar, WBNUJS, Mr Raja Chakraborty.
The program was a success in providing insights to the various law colleges of West Bengal about
NAAC accreditation and grading. The discussions were very informative and interactive and there
was very positive feedback from the attendees.
 ORF- NUJS T20 YOUTH ENGAGEMENT: HOME AND
THE WORLD: INDIA AND G20
DATE: 04.04.2023

National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS) and Observer Research Foundation (ORF)hosted
a T20 Youth Engagement event on April 4 th on the theme ‘Home and the World: India and the
G20’. The event took place at Room no 328 from 2:30 PM- 4:30 PM. The event aimed at bringing
together scholars, academics and students from universities across West Bengal to acquaint young
adults with the working of the G20, and with the role and significance of the Think20 (T20)
Engagement Group as the ‘Ideas Bank’ of the G20. The event started with Dr. Sanjit Kumar
Chakraborty, Associate Professor (Law) and Director of the Centre for Law and Social Justice,
giving a welcome address to all the people attending
the event. He talked about the theme of the event. He then welcomed everyone (resource persons,
faculty members of the visiting colleges and the student of all the visiting colleges and NUJS). This
was followed by the felicitation of Ms. Sunaina Kumar, executive director at T20, Mr. Niranjan
Ghosh, director at ORF, Mr. Anirban Sarma, chairman T20 Taskforce and Mr. Anirban
Mazumder, Director of the Centre for Law and Teachnology, NUJS.
After the felicitation ceremony, Ms. Sunanina Kumar was called on to give her presentation. In
her presentation, she introduced T20 and talked about its roles. Policies of T20 and the themes
depicting the work of T20 were also discussed during the course of her speech. Her presentation
was followed by that of Mr. Niranjan Ghosh. He talked about Sustainable Development Goals
and factors that will help India in sustaining its growth story. The next presentation was presented
by Mr. Anirban Sarma. He gave a presentation on the topic common digital future and collective
efforts for achievement of SDGs. He talked about Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and its
importance. At last, Mr. Anirban Mazumder gave his presentation on DPI and its role in providing
access to knowledge.

After the presentations by the resource persons, the students from visiting colleges and NUJS gave
their speeches. First speech was given by Ayushi Basu, student of NUJS on the topic ‘Digital Public
Infrastructure in Agriculture- Road to sustainability’, followed by Subasish Bhattacharya, student
of AMITY, Kolkata. He gave a speech on the topic ‘Does G20 Have strategic means to structure
the fin canvas of world in the current economic framework?’.
After him, Divingya Das, student of SNU gave her speech on topic ‘G20: A tale of
economic’. Followed by Amisha Gupta, student of GSL on the topic ‘Challenges in transition to
renewable energy resources by transport sector as fastest developing economy’.
Then, Nilarnab Paul, student of SKBU, Purulia gave his speech on ‘Reassessment of the global
financial order’. Another student of NUJS, Kshitij Shandilya gave his speech on the topic ‘FTAs
and RTAs’. Lastly, Yuvraj Chatterjee, student of St. Xaviers College gave his speech on the topic
‘DPI, importance and role of India in making it mainstream’.
This was followed by Question-and-Answer session which was moderated by Dr. Sanjit Kumar
Chakraborty. It was a very engaging session. Students from different universities asked questions
which were answered by the resource persons effectively.

This event helped in making the young adults acquainted with the workings of T20. The speakers
talked about Digital Public Infrastructure as well. This was fruitful and enriching session. It ended
with vote of thanks given by Dr. Anirban Mazumder.
 AWARENESS SESSION: SAFE MIGRATION TO END
LABOUR TRAFFICKING

DATE: 9.02.2023

The Centre for Law and Social Justice, WBNUJS, is organised its first event which was an
Awareness building session with the support of their knowledge partner International Justice
Mission on the 9th of February from 3 PM- 4.30 PM at the WBNUJS Campus in Room No. 107.
The theme of the session was, “Safe Migration to End Labour Trafficking”. The program was
presided over by Chief Guest Shri Jyotirmoy Bhattacharya [Chief Justice (Retd)].
The event started with the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Dr Nirmal Kanti Chakrabarti
giving a welcome note to all the people attending the session. This was followed by the felicitation
of the chief guest, the Vice Chancellor and Prof Dr Sarfaraz Ahmed Khan.

The session then had a short film titled ‘Dreaming to Fly’ which elucidated the problem of labour
trafficking especially, child labour in an extraordinary manner. The following discussion focused
on how the bonded labour system works in various facets, including the issue of the unorganised
sector and migrant workers. It also equipped the participants to identify the hidden aspects of the
crime of labour trafficking and the rehabilitation schemes available for the victims. There was a
detailed discussion on the state as well as the level of human trafficking in the country. The various
possible suggestions to tackle this problem included positive actions such as law enforcement and
good practices where the panchayat can be involved in cases of migration so that migration can be
checked at the village level. In order to extend the knowledge regarding the elements of the bonded
labour system, this seminar created an awareness of how unsafe migration leads to labour
trafficking. The Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment And Conditions Of
Service) Act, 1979 and its modalities were discussed by various speakers to give the attendees an
in-depth knowledge of the legislation which aims to prevent incidents of labour trafficking.

Thereafter Ms Kanchan Yadav, University Research Scholar briefly presented a research paper
titled, ‘India’s labour force during pandemic: how we have failed’ co-authored by her and Prof Dr.
Sanjit Kumar Chakraborty. The paper focused on the effects of the suspension and changes in
labour rights implemented by the various state governments to help the industries cope with the
massive losses that were suffered because of COVID-19. The paper was published in the Journal
of Poverty and Social Science by the Bristol University Press.
This awareness seminar gave the students an opportunity to understand the ongoing deliberations
and find solutions to the challenges that are bothering this discourse. The session was attended by
the Pro Bono Associates, members of the Legal Aid Society, students from Forensic Sciences as
well as LLM students of the university. The session ended with a vote of thanks given by Prof Dr
Sanjit Kumar Chakraborty, the Director of the Centre for Law and Social Justice.