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extended to some other categories, such as Other makes a law with which the people feel
Backward Classes (OBC), again due to political dissatisfied, they can vote
reasons chiefly. out the government at the
next elections. The people
Many people expressed their dissent to
of India have used this
reservation, especially its manner. They argue that
it is all right to give all types of educational right time and again to
make the political leaders
facilities to the people of depressed classes, but it
aware of their needs and
is not justified to compromise with merit. For A person voting on an EVM
example, a student of general category is unable thinking.
to get admission to an educational institution even Enactment and Amendment to Laws
when he has secured 75 percent marks; on the With time, many changes take place. These
contrary, a student of the reserved category is able
changes are in social, political and economic
to secure in that very educational institution fields. Due to them, the people start to think
though he has secured far less marks. This differently. There was a time when the people
compromises merit. These people argue that a
supported the Sati custom, but now they discard it
doctor or engineer from the reserved category can as inhuman. Due to this change in the society, the
only play havoc with the lives of people, because need for laws also changes.
his quality will not match to the highest standards.
With the development of science and technology,
In 1991, the students protested against the Mandal
the facility of ultrasound was invented. This
Commission which facility could determine the sex of the child in the
gave reservation to
womb. Now, the people started to use this facility
OBCs. But they
to determine the sex of the child before birth, and
expressed their dissent if it was a girl-child, get it killed. Thus, this facility
in a destructive manner.
resulted in the crime against girl-child. It also
They put vehicles and resulted in a fewer number of girl-children being
themselves on fire.
Opposition to Mandal Commission born. Therefore, a law was passed by which sex
Protest against the reservation was done in a determination test was declared unlawful.
constructive manner in 2006 when the students
A law which seemed suitable under a particular
protested against the reservation of seats in IITs condition may become unnecessary under the
(Indian Institutes of Technology), IIMs (Indian changed circumstances. For example, there was a
Institutes of Management) and medical colleges.
law to have a licence for a radio or television set
They protested peacefully and filed a case with in the past, but this law has been cancelled as this
the Supreme Court. A decision is pending.
law had become impractical in view of a large
Election as a Method of Dissent number of radios and televisions with the people.
A powerful method in the hands of common For these reasons, the Constitution of India has
people is the right to vote. When the government been amended for over 90 times.
v Rules are necessary for the smooth functioning of a country or organisation.
v Law is that portion of established rules which are backed by the authority and power of the government.
v All countries require the law, so does India.
v Only making laws is not enough, there should be a mechanism to enforce laws.
v The Constitution is the system of laws and basic principles which govern a country.
Need for Laws and Role of the Constitution
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