The "Other" Right to Free Legal Aid

Main article 39A of the Constitution of India guarantees 'free legal aid' to all citizens, but the reality on ground is far from it. The provision is woefully inadequate and outdated. Since 1987, no significant changes have been made to make this right a reality. In 2025, our courts are still flooded with litigants who can't even afford a bottle of water to drink. The system is so complex that even the poor are often forced to appear in person, losing days of wages and facing harassment. And yet, there's no concrete provision to ensure that free legal aid is actually delivered to those who need it the most. We urgently need to rethink this provision to make it meaningful in today's India.