Chapter 4

Understanding Laws

 Do Laws Apply to All?

 Laws cannot discriminate between persons on the basis of their caste,
gender or religion.
 No one can be above the law.
 Any crime or violation of law has a specific punishment and there is a
process through which the guilt of the person has to be established.
 By the end of the nineteenth century, Indian legal profession started
emerging and demanded respect in the colonial court. Indian judges started
playing bigger roles in decision-making.
 New laws have been introduced for controlling pollution and providing
employment.

 How Do New Laws Come About?

 Parliament has an important role in making laws.
 Often, different groups in the society raise the need for a particular law.
 From establishing the need for a new law to its being passed, at every stage
of the process, the voice of the citizen is a crucial element.

 Unpopular and Controversial Laws

 At times, a law can continue to be unpopular and unacceptable to people
because they feel that the intention behind it is harmful and unfair.
 People can criticise this law
 Hold public meetings
 Report to TV news channels
 Write about it in newspapers etc.
 When majority of the people feels that a wrong law is passed, then there is
pressure on the Parliament to change it.
 If a law favours one group and disregards the other, then it can become
controversial and lead to conflicts.
 People who think that a particular law is not fair can approach the court to
decide on the issue.

 The Court has the power to cancel or modify laws if it finds that these laws
do not adhere to the Constitution.