Ashwini Kumar has had the opportunity to study in schools across rural, semi-urban, and urban settings. This diverse educational experience has allowed him to observe different segments of society, understand and empathise with people’s emotions, and grasp the real challenges they confront in their lives.
Such exposure prompted him to reflect on fundamental questions of Justice, Equality, Necessity, and Freedom. To deepen his understanding of these concepts, Kumar chose Jurisprudence as his specialisation for the Master’s degree.
During his LL.M., Kumar conducted research projects that drew upon the works of influential thinkers such as Bentham, Kant, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Marx. His studies led him to advocate the belief that inequality is not sanctioned by natural law.
Inequality prevents individuals from reaching their full potential. Freedom without the fulfillment of necessities is an illusion; thus, a call for freedom often translates to a demand for liberation from necessity. It is the State’s responsibility to ensure the provision of these essential needs.
Kumar’s interest in these topics inspired him to establish the Law and Poverty Clinic and the Legal Aid and Awareness Clinic. These initiatives focus on raising community legal awareness through door-to-door campaigns featuring posters, pamphlets, and other materials, as well as organising rural workshops, street plays, and other activities.
I serve as the primary point of contact for individuals seeking legal advice at NALSAR University of Law, coordinating with subject matter experts and assisting people in registering their grievances with the District Legal Services Authority to access free legal aid. In my leisure time, I enjoy reading books, watching movies, and listening to soft music.