I was a naive girl when I recently got enrolled in Law School. Throughout the years, I was not really aware of the black letters of laws and believed in the spirit of justice. However, now that it has been years since I have been reading different statutes, case laws, judicial interpretations, amendments, etc., the more I understand that legal complexities are not a sham. What’s critical is people do not realize why knowing the law is important. They think that it is for the lawyers to know, until they end up in legal trouble. There are several updates in the legal regime and the very day it comes into force, people are expected to know the law. Here is an attempt to explain the importance of being legally aware and how it can be a life-changing factor – for good!
Know Why Knowing the Law is Important in India
Here are some pointers discussing the various facets of how laws help make our lives better. Read the pointers and if you still feel like legal awareness is not for you, share your reasons at lawgicalshots@gmail.com. But first, read the pointers in detail:
- Ignorance is not an excuse
The most common explanation for why knowing the law is important is that when a law comes into force, everyone is expected to comply with the same. Now it is very common for people to skip on legal updates, because they find it boring and overwhelming. People find it unnecessary assuming law is for lawyers, until they land into trouble.
There is another reality check that knowing all the laws is quite impossible. Even the lawyers are not expected to know it all unless they are prepared for a particular case. Ordinary people should have basic knowledge of laws that are relevant to their lives, activities, business, etc. Any change in major laws should also be duly tracked.
- Protection against Exploitation
A person who is unaware of his/her basic rights is more prone to being exploited. For example, the State fixes minimum wages for different professions. Ignorance of the same leads to exploitation of the poor. If a woman faces sexual harassment at workplace but uninformed about POSH Act, 2013, she will face the consequences of tolerating unwelcome behaviour.
- Exercising Rights
Knowing your rights is important to assert them, protect your own interests, and even seek compensation when time comes. If a person is totally in the dark about the rights he/she enjoys, then that’s a loss.
The Courts have recognized the right to sleep a fundamental right. This means that a person’s sleep cannot be compromised unless there is a reasonable restriction for the same. Now, if someone is unnecessarily playing loud music continuously for several nights and you are not approaching the authorities due to lack of knowledge, the inconvenience is not worthy. Taking another example, you think right to vote is just there for the formation of governments. However, what people do not realize is that anyone stopping them from exercising their right to vote can be their cause of getting huge compensation. These minor examples should prove to be the major lessons of why knowing the law is important.
- Avoid Breaking Laws
When you know that an act is declared illegal and also a punishable offence, you can avoid doing the same. But if you are not even aware of what’s punishable and what’s not, then may God save you and bless you!! The better answer to “Why knowing the law is important?” is to avoid paying unnecessary fines, or going to jail.
Overspeeding is punishable, but you pay the challan for not noticing the speed limits. Theft and extortion both are an offence and can result in punishment under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. But those who think they can threaten another to get what they want, they are definitely going to suffer for their lack of knowledge.
- Informed Decisions
People think that “lawyers are liars” and that’s why they make their way in different situations. What they do not realize is that lawyers are smart beings who are legally aware. They know their rights and responsibilities as per law and apply it all in everyday circumstances. When you know that the Police cannot stop you from going somewhere unnecessarily, you cannot be forced to bribe to make your way, nor you need to be scared of false accusations.
- Supports Career/Business
The one who knows the importance of signature on specific terms of a contract will be careful to read all the clauses carefully. The one who thinks it’s just a piece of paper and everything discussed in detail makes the signed paper worthless is negligent of crucial evidentiary aspects. The importance of contracts in daily life cannot be ignored, let alone in formal relations. For a businessman, taking a space on lease, buying wholesale goods or hiring people for providing service, everything includes making contracts. For a person who finds a job, employment contracts are more common. Those who understand the basics of laws will be at a better position to protect their own interests as compared to an ignorant person.
- Life Decisions
Marriage is one of the biggest decisions a person makes in his/her life. Most people think that marriage is all about accepting a person as their spouse in the presence of family and friends, following their customs and traditions. However, marriage is governed by specific laws, be it personal laws or secular laws. There are specific conditions of marriage in Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Parsis, etc. Even the Special Marriage Act requires parties to comply with the particulars of the law. If there is a gap, the validity of marriage may be under question. Therefore, the answer to why knowing the law is important is quite obvious even for getting married.
Conclusion
I believe that I have made a clear case of why knowing the law is important for the people in India and those visiting India for the first time. The reason being that even the foreigners cannot be excused for ignorance of laws. So, if you know the laws, spread awareness. If you need assistance with keeping updated with laws that come handy in your day-to-day life, Follow Lawgical Shots on Instagram (Click here)
