Dr. Rajendra Prasad National Law University, Prayagraj (RPNLUP), launched its initiative, Project 'Cluster Law' along with the inauguration of its Research Centre, the Law and Policy Action Clinic (LAPAC). Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta, Senior Judge, Allahabad High Court, as the Chief Guest, launched the Culster Law Project and LAPAC which signified integrating legal education with the lived realities of society.
In her welcome address, Sr. Prof. (Dr.) Usha Tandon, Vice-Chancellor, RPNLUP, articulated the University's vision of nurturing advocates, researchers, and policy thinkers who combine intellectual rigor with social commitment. The Vice-Chancellor underscored the significance of Cluster Law Project as an initiative rooted in experiential pedagogy. She explained that the project has been designed with a dual objective: on one hand, to provide law students with hands-on training by involving them in field work, case analysis, and legal aid activities, and on the other, to extend legal awareness and assistance to communities that have historically remained outside the mainstream of justice delivery. Turning to the Law and Policy Action Clinic, she emphasized that the clinic would serve as a hub of research and action-oriented learning, designed to generate practical solutions to contemporary legal and policy challenges, thereby bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. By integrating students into these processes, LAPAC and Cluster Law will shape lawyers who understand the practical dimensions of justice and remain rooted in service to society.
In his distinguished address, Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta lauded the vision and effort of RPNLUP, one -year old University, in initiating Cluster Law and establishing LAPAC, describing them as “unique and novel ideas” that combine academic scholarship with real-world engagement. He stated that Cluster Law shows to focus on three distinct groups: rural communities, small-scale industrial sectors, and tribal groups Each of these groups represents a unique set of socio-economic and legal challenges, and engaging with them would not only enrich the students' learning but also contribute to the empowerment of these vulnerable communities. Cluster Law is envisioned as a model of socially engaged legal education that simultaneously trains students and uplifts marginalized societies. He remarked that these initiatives have arrived at the right moment, when there is a growing need for legal education to move beyond the classroom and into the lives of people who are most in need of justice. He mentioned the focus on rural, industrial, and tribal clusters, noting that such targeted engagement ensures that legal interventions are not generic but tailored to the lived experiences of communities. Justice Gupta emphasized that the true purpose of law is not only to adjudicate disputes but also to empower, to dignify, and to create opportunities for fairness and equality.
The broader significance of these initiatives lies in their potential for uplifting simple societies through law. Rural communities often face issues of illiteracy, lack of access to welfare schemes, and disputes over land and resources; Cluster Law's interventions will provide awareness, guidance, and support to help them secure their rights. Small-scale industrial sectors, frequently caught between economic pressures and regulatory complexities, will benefit from legal literacy on labour rights, workplace safety, and compliance matters. Tribal groups, who embody cultural traditions but face marginalization, will gain from the recognition of their identity and the safeguarding of their constitutional protections under legislations designed for their welfare. By addressing these varied issues, RPNLUP is ensuring that legal education contributes not only to professional development but also to social transformation.
Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Kumar Sinha, Vice Chancellor, Dharamshastra National Law University, Jabalpur, Prof. (Dr.) Devinder Singh, Vice Chancellor, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University, Sonepat, and Prof. Ravindra Pratap, Dean, Faculty of Legal Studies, South Asian University, Delhi, were also present in the programme as Guests of Honour and reflected their views on the empirical research in the legal education.
The program concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Mr. Satya Prakash, Registrar, RPNLUP, who expressed gratitude to the Chief Guest and dignitaries for their encouragement and support.