The purpose of laws is to safeguard and serve the public. To comply with current patterns, these laws should be refreshed occasionally. Many obsolete laws have been changed in India, but some odd laws need to be addressed! This article discusses seven odd Indian laws that should be amended as soon as possible.
Explore the quirks of India’s legal system with strange Indian laws. From the Indian Telegraph Act to the oddities surrounding prostitution and the legal drinking age, discover how these outdated regulations reveal the need for modernization in the country’s legal framework.
Indian Telegraph Act, 1885
Among the most antiquated strange Indian laws is the Indian Telegraph Act, which lacks relevance in the present generation. Enacted in 1885, this law initially facilitated British control over India by monitoring telegraphy nationwide and beyond to suppress potential uprisings.
In the contemporary context, neither are we under British rule nor do people employ telegraphy to incite uncontrollable protests. The use of telegraphy itself has become obsolete, especially considering the prevalence of telephones, visual media, and the Internet. This strange Indian laws has consequently lost all significance, particularly as these technologies are now accessible to everyone.
The Factories Act of 1948
Enacted during a period when every helping hand was crucial for nation-building, the Factories Act aimed to incorporate women into the workforce while respecting the cultural norms of that era, where women seldom ventured out after sunset.
Presently, the Act permits women to engage in hazardous jobs and work in factories. However, it takes a contrary stance when it comes to women working during the night. This strange Indian laws prohibits women from working at night in factories, even voluntarily. This restriction hampers a woman’s ability to earn and sustain herself, particularly at a time when many women aspire to live independently and self-sufficiently. Additionally, the provision for extra pay for night duty further limits a woman’s opportunity to earn additional wages if she willingly chooses to do so. Therefore, there is a need to amend the law to enable women to work in factories during nighttime.
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958
This strange indian laws has consistently been in the spotlight since the government initiated counter-insurgency operations post-India’s partition. The Act empowers the military to operate independently in areas where it is enforced, granting them the authority to make arrests without stating a cause, detain individuals indefinitely without a court order, and utilize their weapons at their discretion for the greater good.
By conferring ‘special powers,’ this strange indian law enables commissioned officers to resort to lethal force to maintain public order. Initially applied to security forces in Manipur and Assam to protect against violence, its jurisdiction was subsequently expanded to cover the entire North East, Jammu, and Kashmir. The perplexity arises when India, a democratic nation, justifies conflict resolution that results in fatal consequences.
The Aircraft Act of 1934
As per this legislation, an aircraft is defined as “any machine capable of deriving support in the atmosphere from reactions of the air.” This broad definition encompasses “balloons, whether fixed or free, kites, airships, flying machines, and gliders.”
The Act stipulates that only the Government possesses the authority to formulate rules concerning the possession, use, operation, import or export of any aircraft, as well as the sale or classification of aircraft. Consequently, flying balloons and kites without government clearance in India would be deemed illegal under this interpretation.
Prostitution Is Legal But Being A Pimp Is Illegal
While prostitution is legal in India when practised privately, soliciting clients publicly or engaging in organized prostitution, including pimping, is illegal. This duality in the legal framework reflects societal ambivalence towards the world’s oldest profession, raising questions about the effectiveness and coherence of these regulations.
The Registration Of Foreigners’ Act, 1939
According to this law, any foreigner residing in India for more than 180 days must report their entry, movement between localities, and departure to higher authorities. The legislation also mandates landlords, managers of boarding houses and hotels, as well as operators of ships or aircraft, to report the presence of any foreigners.
Initially introduced by the British to regulate the entry and movement of foreigners into India, the law was specifically intended for Indian revolutionaries from other countries. However, in the present context, this law has evolved into a tool used to harass foreigners, impeding efforts in India to promote tourism.
Legal Drinking Age
One noteworthy Indian law is the regulation stipulating the legal drinking age, which varies across states and, in some instances, extends up to 25 years. It appears peculiar that citizens, with the right to vote at 18 years of age, are not deemed mature enough to decide on alcohol consumption.
Conclusion
The strange Indian laws inherently involves a delicate balance, considering the vast and diverse demographic of a nation. Each provision must account for diverse cultures, languages, practices, and religions, especially in a country as diverse and populous as India. To comprehend the rationale behind a law, one needs to be trained in the applicable thought process, drawing insights from precedents and practical experiences.
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