Alliance University holds anti-trafficking awareness programme with KSLSA, Maarga in Bengaluru

The Legal Services Clinic of Alliance School of Law, Alliance University, along with Maarga and the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority (KSLSA), held a legal awareness programme on July 30 to mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, under the global theme "Trapped Behind the Mask."

This event was held at Dr BR Ambedkar Samudhaya Bhavan, of Rajendra Nagar slum, and brought together nearly 100 participants, predominantly women, from LR Nagar, Rajendra Nagar and Ambedkar Nagar within the Audugodi Police Station limits. It aimed to raise awareness on human trafficking, cyber-enabled exploitation, child marriage and legal protections for vulnerable communities.

Shridhara M, Senior Civil Judge and Deputy Secretary, KSLSA, attended as chief guest and delivered the keynote address. He spoke on the role of Legal Services Authorities in ensuring access to justice for women, children, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and economically weaker sections, and informed participants about free legal consultation and aid available through the District Legal Services Authority.

He said trafficking today extends beyond sexual exploitation to bonded labour, forced labour and organ trafficking, and cautioned against the misuse of social media for online grooming, deepfakes and financial fraud. He also explained the legal consequences of child marriage under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act and the POCSO Act.

Rajendra Prabhakar, Executive Director of Maarga, spoke on the rise in missing women and girls in India and called trafficking one of the most profitable forms of organised crime globally. He referred to concerns raised by local residents about suspicious movement of young girls in the area and appealed for closer cooperation between citizens and law enforcement.

Prof Sofiul Ahmad, Assistant Professor of Law at Alliance School of Law, said traffickers often lure victims with fake job or skill-development offers, and noted a post-pandemic rise in online fraud and fake recruitment agencies targeting both men and women. He urged participants to verify job offers and avoid sharing identity documents with unknown persons online.

Prof. Sivamanithan S said the event marked the end of a 15-day anti-trafficking campaign run jointly by the Legal Services Clinic and Maarga across the three localities, which also involved law students in direct community engagement. Manjula, Coordinator, Maarga, said the organisation has worked with slum communities in Bengaluru for two decades and currently supports nearly 9,000 families.

Maarga and the Bhema Jyothi Mahila Sangha, Rajendra Nagar, submitted a memorandum to Shridhara M flagging long-pending issues, including difficulties faced by residents in obtaining identity documents, accessing welfare schemes, and securing civic amenities in rehabilitation settlements. Shridhara M said the concerns would be taken up with the relevant authorities and proposed setting up a Legal Aid Clinic in the locality.

The Legal Services Clinic, KSLSA and Maarga said they would continue collaborative legal awareness initiatives in the area.