Kushtia, August 23, 2025 (Saturday): A Mobile Free Legal Aid program was successfully held in Alampur Daspara and Durbachara Daspara under Kushtia Sadar Upazila, targeting poor, Dalit, marginalized, and vulnerable communities. The initiative was organized by the Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), Kushtia Unit, with the active support of human rights organization FAIR. The event aimed to ensure greater access to justice and legal aid in Bangladesh, particularly for those who are often excluded from the formal justice system.

Dignitaries and Participants

The program was attended by Advocate Manjuri Begum, Chairperson of FAIR and Executive Member of BLAST Kushtia Unit; Dewan Akhtaruzzaman, Director of FAIR; Advocate Shankar Majumder, Coordinator of BLAST Kushtia Unit; Advocate Shipra Goswami, Coordinator of BLAST Faridpur Unit; Antra Majumder, Mediation Officer of BLAST Kushtia Unit; Istiaq, Paralegal of BLAST Kushtia Unit; Swapan Hasda from Shapla Organization in Faridpur; along with K.M. Harisul Alam Jony, Project Coordinator of FAIR, and Robin Kumar, Project Officer of FAIR.

Spreading Legal Awareness

Through the community legal aid program, participants were informed about where and how to access free legal aid services. Discussions focused on crucial topics such as child marriage, dowry, parental maintenance, family protection laws, Hindu marriage registration, and the importance of legal aid in Bangladesh. A quiz competition on legal knowledge was also organized to encourage active participation.

Key Remarks from Guests

Advocate Manjuri Begum highlighted the risks of child marriage and dowry, emphasizing that awareness of family legal aid and protective laws can empower women and families. She reminded participants that the legal marriage age in Bangladesh is 21 for men and 18 for women.

FAIR Director Dewan Akhtaruzzaman said, “FAIR has long been serving the Alampur and Durbachara Dalit communities with various development initiatives. Today, through this mobile free legal aid service, we are bringing justice closer to you. Do not rely on brokers or middlemen—come directly to FAIR or BLAST for legal aid help without any cost.”

Advocate Shankar Majumder, Coordinator of BLAST Kushtia Unit, assured the community that BLAST not only provides legal aid services and advice but also supports court cases, even covering travel costs if required.

Advocate Shipra Goswami, Coordinator of BLAST Faridpur Unit, added, “BLAST has been working tirelessly to provide legal aid in Bangladesh for disadvantaged communities. Today, we are here at your doorstep so you can easily access justice. If needed, we will represent you in court through free legal aid services.”

Direct Complaints and On-the-Spot Consultations

Community members were able to file complaints and receive immediate legal aid help during the event. Both men and women actively participated, and many expressed relief at having direct access to bd legal aid services. Locals requested that similar community legal aid programs be organized more frequently.

A Step Toward Justice for All

This Mobile Free Legal Aid initiative by BLAST and FAIR is a vital step toward promoting access to legal aid for marginalized groups in Kushtia. Such efforts highlight the role of national legal aid services organizations in ensuring justice for the poor. Locals believe that with regular initiatives, vulnerable men and women will feel more confident in claiming their legal rights through free legal aid and fair justice.