‘Active participation of citizens in law reforms is essential to protect rights amid societal changes’

Panellists stress citizen engagement in lawmaking to safeguard rights and influence legal changes in a changing society.

Citizens must actively engage with lawmaking and constitutional processes to safeguard their rights and influence legal changes, particularly in a changing society, noted panellists at the ‘Justice Unplugged: Shaping the Future of Law’, a law conclave organised in the city on Saturday.

The panel discussion on the ‘Role of Law in a Changing Society’ was conducted as part of the conclave hosted by VIT School of Law (VITSOL), VIT Chennai, in association with The Hindu.

Tracing the framework of law and changes in the Constitution over the past seven decades since the country’s independence, D. Nagasaila, advocate for the Madras High Court, said the first two decades were spent in building the institutions for enforcement of laws, and the past two decades have witnessed a destruction of such institutions.

Pointing out that socio-economic inequality has reached new heights, she said some people were alienated from their resources. Citing B. R. Ambedkar’s speeches, Ms. Nagasaila said citizens have allowed the institutions to crumble due to internal treachery, be it their indifference or failure to engage in legal reforms.

Noting that the element of distrust of institutions has pervaded all walks of life, she said answers lie in the Constitution and the Preamble. During societal change, people must actively take part in the process of law reforms or risk losing their rights.

Highlighting that law and society go hand in hand, Shabnam Banu, advocate of the Madras High Court, said every law reform may not be met with unanimous acceptance. However, laws are in place to uphold fundamental rights of every citizen. Laws govern every phase of people’s life.

Quoting several judgments that sparked criticisms, including the Sabarimala temple judgment, and the one in the Vishaka vs State of Rajasthan case, she said such court verdicts brought revolutionary changes in the society. However, the legal reforms must be adapted in the right way and statutes created to protect us must not be misused.