Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the challenges of the 21st-century could not be fought with a 20th-century approach, adding that there was a need to rethink, reimagine and reform the legal system of the country.
Addressing the inaugural event of CLEA-Commonwealth Attorneys and Solicitors General Conference ( CASGC):2024, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, the Prime Minister said that India has modernised it’s laws to reflect the current realities.
The country has replaced more than 100-year-old colonial criminal laws with three new legislations, he added.
He further said that India has a special relationship with the African Union, expressing his happiness over the African Union becoming a part of the G20 during India’s presidency.
As per the Prime Minister, this would go a long way in addressing the aspirations of people of Africa.
Stating that justice has been given great importance in Indian thoughts, the Prime Minister said the ancient Indian thinkers believed in ‘Nyaayamoolam svaraajyam syaat’, which meant that justice was at the root of independent self-governance. Without justice, even the existence of a nation was not possible.
He also discussed the conference’s theme, Cross-Border Challenges in Justice Delivery, saying that a collaborative effort was needed among countries to ensure justice within a nation. He stressed on understanding each other’s legal systems, stating that it fostered synergy, leading to improved and faster justice delivery.
The event was attended by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and CJI DY Chandrachud, along with Attorneys and Solicitors General from the Commonwealth nations spanning the Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Caribbean, along with various international delegations.