SDG-16 and Access to Justice for Marginalized Dalit: A Study of Patepur Village of Ghazipur District of Uttar Pradesh

SDG-16, one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations in 2015, aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, ensure access to justice for everyone, and establish effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. Within SDG-16, the third target specifically addresses the importance of equal access to justice. Access to justice is an important legal right in any democratic society. It ensures that everyone is treated fairly and equally under the law. This essential entitlement plays a crucial role in upholding justice principles and creating an environment where legal solutions are fair for all. It’s a cornerstone in protecting individual freedom and rights, emphasizing that legal protections should be available to everyone, regardless of their background or status in society. However, this right remains elusive for a significant portion of the population – the Dalit communities, often characterized by untouchables, socially marginalized and downtrodden. This study delves into the nuanced dimensions of justice accessibility for marginalized Dalit communities, with a specific focus on Patepur village situated in Ghazipur district of Uttar Pradesh. This research paper aims to evaluate the current state of justice accessibility for Dalit individuals and pinpoints the major barriers impeding their access to justice. One of the most fundamental challenges is the limited awareness of legal rights. They are often unaware of their rights and the available legal remedies, leaving them at a significant disadvantage when faced with legal issues. This lack of awareness further exacerbates their vulnerability and perpetuates a cycle of injustice. Socioeconomic barriers are equally daunting. Economic constraints and the associated difficulties in affording legal representation often leave these communities without recourse when confronted with legal problems. These barriers effectively deny them access to the justice they are entitled to. Furthermore, the inadequacy of legal infrastructure in marginalized areas compounds the issue. Often, individuals from Dalit communities are forced to travel long distances to access legal services, incurring additional expenses and hardships. Disparities in legal representation are yet another major obstacle. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, incorporating semi-structured interviews, and secondary resources such as Government reports, media reports, and relevant legal and research documents. By applying these sources, the research seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted challenges that marginalized Dalits of this area face in their pursuit of justice. The key findings of this study are expected to highlight several critical aspects, including the limited awareness of legal rights among Dalit communities, the influence of socio-economic barriers, inadequate infrastructure, and disparities in legal representation.