Gender and Caste Dynamics in Lok Adalats: A Critical Analysis of Inclusivity Challenges and Strategies for Strengthening Equitable Dispute Resolution

Lok Adalats, Gender-caste intersectionality, Equitable dispute resolution, Rural access to justice, Article 39A of the Constitution of India

Lok Adalats, instituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act of 1987, were created as accessible and consensual platforms to provide expeditious justice, particularly for India's rural and marginalized communities. Despite the fact that they have resolved over 23.58 crore cases between the years 2022–23 and 2024–25, qualitative accounts from litigants and field observers reveal that they continue to exclude people based on their gender and caste, which undermines their ability to involve everyone. In order to investigate how caste hierarchies and patriarchal norms affect participation, negotiating power, and settlement outcomes in Lok Adalats, this non-doctrinal paper synthesizes secondary qualitative narratives, beneficiary data, and intersectional analysis. The study highlights subtle forms of coercion, biased conciliator attitudes, and structural barriers that frequently result in settlements reinforcing existing inequalities. By drawing on the lived experiences of women, particularly Dalit and Other Backward Class (OBC) women in rural Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the study highlights these issues. In order to incorporate intersectional equity, the paper suggests specific reforms that are supported by evidence. In accordance with Article 39A of the Constitution of India, Lok Adalats are only able to fulfill their constitutional mandate if they are deliberately strengthened.