14/08/2026
Legal Awareness Programme ‘Empower Youth, Stronger India’ Held at Arunachal Pradesh University
APU, Aug 12: The Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of Arunachal Pradesh University (APU), in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), East Siang, organized a comprehensive legal awareness programme titled "Empower Youth, Stronger India" on the university campus. The initiative was conducted under the aegis of the Arunachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (APSLSA).
The programme brought together judicial officers, legal practitioners, faculty members, and students from across various departments to deliberate on essential legal protections, digital ethics, campus safety, and constitutional rights.
Delivering the keynote address, Bido Sora, Civil Judge (Junior Division)-cum-Judicial Magistrate First Class, Siang, and Secretary of DLSA East Siang, elucidated critical legal provisions such as the concept of Zero FIR, safeguards against illegal detention, and the procedural nuances of securing bail.
Addressing contemporary digital challenges, Sora cautioned attendees against spreading AI-driven misinformation and unverified digital content, warning that reckless sharing could invite defamation proceedings. Invoking Shakespeare’s Othello, he emphasized the priceless value of personal reputation.
Senior practitioner Advocate Denzing Sonuwal, drawing from over 12 years of practice across courts in Arunachal Pradesh, addressed defamation and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in the digital era. Citing the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015)—which struck down Section 66A of the IT Act—he explained that the fundamental right to free speech under Article 19 remains subject to reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2). He also highlighted that offences under the POCSO Act entail stringent penalties, including a minimum prison term of five years.
Advocate Sunny Tayeng, practicing before the Supreme Court of India, Delhi High Court, and courts across Arunachal Pradesh, spoke extensively on bodily autonomy, personal dignity, and anti-harassment laws. She emphasized that valid consent must be freely given and can be revoked at any time.
Tayeng outlined the severe legal repercussions of campus ragging, detailed the provisions of the POSH Act, 2013, and noted that filing false complaints attracts strict penalties under both UGC guidelines and criminal law. She urged students to dismantle gender stereotypes through the framework of "Safe, Save, Report, and Support."
Earlier in the day, welcoming the gathering, Dr. Rajen Miwu, Head of the Department of Commerce and IQAC member, underscored the vital role of early legal literacy in shaping a vigilant, informed, and responsible youth force.
The technical sessions concluded with a dynamic question-and-answer segment. Students and actively engaged the panel with inquiries on the right to fair education, how criminal convictions affect long-term employment prospects, and the necessity of extending legal literacy outreach to grassroots and rural communities.
As a gesture of institutional appreciation, Ms. Tenzing Chimey, Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce, presented a token of love to the visiting representatives of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), East Siang.
The event was coordinated by IQAC members Dr. Rajen Miwu and Dr. Yab Rajiv Camder, Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce.