Jesuit Lawyers Plan Legal Centres to Strengthen Rights of Marginalised Communities

NEW DELHI, October 27, 2026: Jesuit lawyers from across India have called for expanding legal aid, litigation and constitutional advocacy to protect marginalised communities, including Adivasis and minorities, at a national conclave held in New Delhi from October 19 to 21.

The conclave at the Indian Social Institute brought together 22 Jesuit lawyers representing 12 provinces under the theme “Our Role in Nation Building”. Participants proposed establishing legal centres in every Jesuit province, strengthening research-based advocacy and creating a national Jesuit Lawyers Forum within the Jesuit Conference of South Asia.

Inaugurating the conclave on October 20, Fr Stany D’Souza, president of the Jesuit Conference of South Asia, and Fr Ajit Xess, president-designate, recalled the contributions of Jesuit missionaries Constant Lievens and John Baptist Hoffmann to protecting Adivasi land rights. Their work helped lay the groundwork for the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act of 1908.

The speakers urged Jesuit lawyers to draw inspiration from these pioneers by combining professional legal practice with a commitment to social justice and the rights of vulnerable communities.

Sessions led by Senior Advocate Robin R. David and Advocate Michael Dias examined the role of lawyers in nation building. A panel discussion featuring Advocate Sr Sneha Gill, Advocate Dr Alana Golmei and A. C. Michael, former member of the Delhi Minority Commission, explored the expectations placed on Jesuit lawyers, particularly in providing legal assistance to disadvantaged groups.

Five Jesuit lawyers shared experiences from their work across different parts of the country. Their presentations covered Supreme Court practice, cases involving minority educational institutions, Adivasi land rights in Jharkhand, constitutional advocacy in Tamil Nadu and human rights interventions in Assam.

Advocate Santhanam outlined the work of the LAAS Centre in Tamil Nadu, which combines legal consultation and litigation with paralegal training, research and advocacy. Advocate Owen highlighted the initiatives of the Legal Cell for Human Rights in Guwahati, while Advocate Anupchand described efforts to protect Adivasi land rights through the Hoffmann Law Firm in Ranchi.

The conclave called for greater provincial support, continuity in legal representation, stronger collaboration among lawyers’ networks and better documentation of Jesuit contributions to nation building. Participants also identified anti-conversion laws and emerging constitutional concerns as areas requiring legal attention.

The gathering recalled the contribution of Jesuit priest Fr Jerome D’Souza, a member of the Constituent Assembly, to the making of the Indian Constitution, particularly its provisions concerning the Preamble, Fundamental Rights and minority rights.

With the 50th anniversary of his death falling in 2027, participants proposed national seminars and conferences to commemorate his legacy and wider distribution of copies of the Constitution to promote constitutional awareness.

They also viewed an early copy of the Indian Constitution presented to Fr Jerome D’Souza as a member of the Constituent Assembly. The historic document is preserved at the Indian Social Institute in New Delhi.

The conclave proposed an annual in-person meeting of Jesuit lawyers to sustain collaboration and advance their legal apostolate in the service of justice, human rights and constitutional democracy.

By Catholic Connect Reporter