Page 174 - SST Class 08

The question arises ? Why at all is a law needed?
The answer is quite simple. A weak man is
walking in the street when a strong man comes up
and slaps him on the face. Physically, the weak
man cannot do anything against the strong man,
but he has the right to get justice. So, a law is
needed to protect the weak. Similarly, a law is
needed to protect the property of the people.
An important feature of the law is that it eradicates
social evils. You have read that India has many
social evils, such as dowry custom, Sati custom,
child labour, untouchability etc. It is necessary
that these evils are eradicated from the society so
that all people can lead a good life. Therefore,
laws are made to eradicate such evils.
Need for Laws in India
India is a large country where the people of
different religions, communities, castes and
cultures live who speak different languages, have
distinct eating habits and lifestyles, and observe
distinct customs and traditions. As we can see, the
needs of different peoples are different because
they want the laws which are in keeping with
their thinking. However, in our country where the
types of thinking vary due to a vast measure of
diversities, it is necessary that such laws are
framed which fulfil the aspirations of all or at least
the majority of the people.
Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian
The need for laws is all the more when a social
evil, like the dowry custom, has to be eradicated
from the society. ‘Dowry’ is given by the bride’s
side to the groom’s side at the time of marriage.
Dowry has both bright and dark sides. Some gifts
willingly given to the groom at the time of
marriage may not be a subject of objection;
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however, it becomes an evil the moment the
groom’s side demands or expects a dowry. The
dowry custom has many evils attached to it. Many
girls cannot be married only because their parents
or family members are not in a position to arrange
for their dowry. Many people commit female
infanticide or female foeticide so that they would
not have any girls to marry. This results in crime
against girl children and women. Not only this,
many women are treated badly after marriage
because their parents were not able to give the
demanded or expected dowry. It often results in
violence against the women, sometimes leading to
their murder. You can realise the gravity of this
social evil.
Therefore, it is necessary that this social evil is
eradicated from the society even though it has
existed in the society from ancient times. An evil,
like the dowry custom, can be eradicated in many
ways. Awakening can be spread in the society
against this evil, but this does not bind the people.
The more effective method is to make a law and
enforce it with the force of the government.
Legislation and Enforcement
Is making a law sufficient to eradicate a social
evil? No, not at all. A law is the written word. A
written word can have any force only when it is
enforced by the government. Take for example the
case where a weak man is beaten by a strong
man. A weak man can get justice if he goes to the
police or court of law. The force of the police and
court of law will punish
the strong man. In the
same manner, if a law is
made for the abolition of
the dowry custom, suitable
enforcement is needed so
that any people who
violate the law can be A policeman
punished.
A law has to be followed by the people, willingly
or unwillingly. It is an ideal of any government to
make the citizens follow the law willingly. The
citizens who obey the law willingly are good and
able citizens. The progress of the society and
country depends on their able shoulders.