Shilpa Chaya Mazumdar
Affiliation: Tengakhat College, Assam, India
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Abstract: In academic discourse, legal awareness refers to the comprehensive understanding individuals have of their legal rights, the procedures established by the legal system, and the avenues available for accessing justice. Such knowledge can be acquired through the guidance and support of legal professionals, paralegals, and other credible and authoritative sources. This paper seeks to examine the extent of legal awareness among youth residing in rural areas of Assam, focusing specifically on individuals aged 18 to 24 years from two rural colleges located in the Dibrugarh district. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select participants, and the study utilized a qualitative approach to facilitate an in-depth analysis of the data collected. The findings reveal that both male and female respondents in the targeted rural settings exhibit a significant lack of awareness and engagement with their legal rights and entitlements. Despite multiple initiatives undertaken by governmental and non-governmental organizations aimed at enhancing legal awareness—particularly among women—the study highlights an alarming level of indifference and distrust towards the legal system among the participants. This disinterest not only undermines efforts to promote legal literacy but also raises critical questions about the effectiveness and reach of current awareness programs in addressing the needs of marginalized rural youth.
Keywords: Law; Youth; Assam; Legal Awareness; Rural; Gender.