Tanubhrt.This.Side

[The above is a clear case ————————————————– equal before the law]

When India got freedom, the members of the Constituent assembly agreed that there should be no arbitrary exercise of power in independent India. As a result, several laws were made, the most important being that in independent India all are equal before the law.

[The law cannot ————————————– always like this?]

As per the rule of law, all people are equal before the law and the law cannot discriminate on the basis of religion, caste or gender. Any crime or violation of law has a specific punishment as well as a process through which the guilt of the person has to be established.

[In ancient India, ———————————————————- colonial period.]

In the ancient India, there were overlapping local laws. Different communities enjoyed differently autonomy of power. For some, the punishment was severe while for others it was lenient. Mostly, it depended on the caste of the individual, with the lower caste being harshly penalized. This changed during the colonial period.

[It is often ———————————————————- due trial.]

Some people believe that it is the British colonialists who introduced the rule of law in India. But, there are some who disagree with this statement on two grounds –

1. colonial rule was arbitrary ( which means on random choice).
2. Indian nationalist played a prominent role in the development of the legal spheres in British India.

As per the Sedition act of 1870, any person protesting or criticising the British Government could be arrested without trial.

[Indian nationalists ————————————————————— colonial period.]

Indian nationalists started protesting for laws that were forced on them instead of being ideas of justice. By the end of the 19th century, Indian legal profession began emerging and demanded respect in colonial courts. They began to use to defend the legal rights of Indians.

[With the adoption ————————————————————————– next section.]

After the adoption of Constitution, the document served as the foundation on which our representatives began making laws for the country. Every year new laws were passed or revised.

HOW DO NEW LAWS COME ABOUT?

[The Parliament ——————————————————————————–law.]

Parliament plays an important role in making laws. It is important for the Parliament to understand the problems of the people.

[As the above example, —————————————- people.]

Role of citizens is crucial in helping parliament frame different concerns that people might have into laws. The voice of the citizen is very crucial at every stage and can be heard from TV reports, newspaper editorials, radio broadcasts, local meetings. All of this helps in making the work that Parliament does more accessible and transparent to people.

Unpopular and Controversial Laws

[Let us now look ———————————————————— change this.]

If there is a law that is legal but is not popular among people i.e. they do not like it because they feel that the intention behind it is unfair and harmful. People may criticise the law, hold public meetings, write about it in newspapers, report to TV news channels etc. In a democracy, a person has the right to express their unwillingness to accept repressive laws framed by the Parliament. And when a lot of people do this, Parliament has to change the laws.

[For example ——————————————————————————- Constitution.]

There are many municipal laws on the use of space within municipal limits. While it favors some of the people, it takes away occupation from the millions of people who work there. Also, there are many who depend on the things they buy from public spaces. So, a law may favor one group but disregard the other and that would be completely unfair. People who think that the law is unfair can approach the court to decide on the issue. The court then has the power to either modify or cancel the law.

[Do you remember —————————————————– properly?]

Our role as citizens is not just about giving votes. It is about reading newspapers and media and being aware of what is being done around us. We should bear in mind that it is the extent, involvement, and enthusiasm of the people that helps Parliament perform its representative functions properly.