PASIGHAT : The Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of Arunachal Pradesh University (APU), in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), East Siang, organised a legal awareness programme titled ‘Empower Youth, Stronger India’ to sensitise students on legal rights, digital responsibility and campus safety.

The programme was held under the aegis of the Arunachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (APSLSA) and featured judicial officers and practising advocates who addressed students on various legal issues relevant to young people.

Bido Sora Civil Judge (Junior Division)-cum-Judicial Magistrate First Class Siang and Secretary DLSA East Siang delivered the keynote address. He explained legal safeguards relating to Zero FIR, protection against illegal detention and the process of seeking bail. Cautioning students against AI-generated misinformation, he said forwarding unverified information could have legal consequences, including defamation.

Advocate Denzing Sonuwal spoke on defamation and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in the context of social media. Referring to the Supreme Court’s 2015 judgment in Shreya Singhal vs. Union of India, he explained the scope of freedom of speech under Article 19 and its reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2). He also highlighted provisions relating to offences under the POCSO Act.

Advocate Sunny Tayeng addressed issues of consent, dignity, ragging and protection against sexual harassment. She emphasised that valid consent must be freely given and can be withdrawn at any time, and outlined provisions of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, 2013. She also cautioned students about the legal consequences of false complaints and urged them to promote a safe campus culture based on the principle of “Safe, Save, Report and Support.”

The programme was coordinated by Dr Rajen Miwu Head of the Department of Commerce and IQAC member and Dr Yab Rajiv Camdir Assistant Professor and IQAC member. In his welcome address, Dr Miwu underlined the importance of legal literacy in building an informed and empowered youth.

The session concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, during which students raised issues concerning the right to fair education, the impact of criminal convictions on employment and the need to extend legal awareness programmes to rural communities.

Faculty members and students from various departments attended the programme.