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Need for Laws
-
Laws are meant for the
welfare and security
of the people. They serve as a means of bringing about
social change
and establishing an
egalitarian society
.
- In a traditionally unequal society like India, which is plagued by social evils such as dowry, female foeticide and alcoholism , the need for laws becomes even more important.
Social evils and the efforts made to stop their practice
-
Social evils
are the harmful practices or customs that violate the basic values and norms of a society.
-
They cause
injustice, oppression, exploitation and discrimination
to certain sections of the society.
- They also hinder the social and economic development of the country.
Dowry
-
It is the money or gifts given to the groom and his family by the bride’s family at the time of marriage.
-
It often leads to
torture and death
of the bride.
- The Dowry Prohibition Act (1961) prohibits giving and taking of dowry and prescribes imprisonment and fine for offenders.
Female Foeticide
-
It is the practice of killing a female foetus in the womb due to preference for sons.
-
It affects India’s
sex ratio
adversely.
-
The
Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act (1994)
prohibits the determination and disclosure of the sex of the foetus and bans any advertisement of prenatal sex determination.
- It also prescribes imprisonment and fine for violators.
