On MBL aS mio mL ge od 84-Understanding Laws Multiple Choice Questions —(Page-234) 1. (b) liberty for all 2. (a) Constitution (Page-235) 1. (b) law 2. (a) House EXERCISE Quick Revision A. 1 () 2 (a) B. 1. 1,2,4,5and6arecorrect. C1 (@) 2 &) Answer The Following, Al (2 (a) B. 1. Laws are a system of rules which are important for governing a civilised society or country. By guaranteeing liberty and equality, it ensures our safety. 2. Features of ancient laws: (a) Law were overlapping and various communities enjoyed autonomy in administering these laws. (b) Religious background and caste were often the criteria for fixing penalty. Historians claim that colonial laws were biased because they were not equal. People were discriminated even when laws were there. Also, the rules for colonisers and the colonised were different. 3. Right to Information (RTI) Act ensures that government and its agencies cannot hide anything, other than that related to national security, from the public. Similarly, Public Interest Litigation (PIL) gives authority to seek stay or termination on a law that is contradictory to publicinterest. C. 1. © Amember introduces an ordinary bill in any of the houses of the Parliament. ¢ The billis discussed in detail and changes are recommended. * The bill is sent to Select Joint Committee, where members of both the Houses of Parliament thoroughly discuss it. * The bill is redrafted after including the suggested changes and placed before the House. ¢ 1f50% members vote in favour of the Bill, it is sent to the other House for approval, where it goes through the same process. It might even suggest some changes. « If changes are unacceptable in the House, where the bill originated, a joint session is summoned by the President. At this session, decision is taken by majority votes of total number of members of both the Houses. ¢ The Bill is sent to President for his or her assent. The President can suggest changes which the Parliament may or may not accept. The Bill is then sent back to the President. @ The President signs the Bill and the Bill becomes a Law.2. Itoften happens that certain laws are not liked by a segment of the population. They protest against such laws and condemn the government. These laws may be constitutional but not necessarily just or unbiased. People in India are free to criticise such laws. They do so by organising protest marches and rallies, writing editorials and conducting discussions in open forums. If a law is approved by alargenumber of people, ithas to be withdrawn or changed. For example, issues like pesticides in soft drink and street vending have led to changes in their respective laws. Thus, people play an active and crucial role in implementation and modifications of laws. The citizens need to be aware and alert so that any controversial or biased laws are notenacted. 3. Domestic violence implies any physical or mental injury caused by an adult male, usually husband against his wife. It also includes emotional and economic abuse, threats, harassment, stalking, malevolent damage to property, forcible entry into a woman's residence or abuse from following any cultural or customary ritual that discriminates against women. The government has passed Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2006 to protect women. It includes all women who live or have lived in a shared household with the male member who commits violence. 4. Through the 1990s, various forums raised their voice to stop the abuse of women within the household. In 1999, a Lawyer's Collective, constituting lawyers, law students and activists from across the country prepared a draft of the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill. Though this bill was introduced in the Parliament in 2002, it did not satisfy the needs of the victims of domestic violence. Asa result, many women's organisations and National Commission for Women made submissions to the Parliamentary Standing Committee suggesting changes. After a lot of deliberation, the Bill was tabled in December 2002 and eventually most of the demands of the women's groups were accepted. Finally, in 2005, a new bill was re-introduced and it becamealaw in 2006.