Tuesday, April 1, 2014

" GANDHI AND THE LAW"





BY K. PHANI KUMAR,
Advocate
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THE LAW forbids rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges, beg in the streets and steal loaves of bread and the rule of law is better than the rule of individual.

Laws are made by governments, specifically by their legislatures. The formation of laws themselves may be influenced by a Constitution and the rights encoded therein. The law shapes politics, economics and society in countless ways and serves as a social mediator of relations betweenpeople.

“ It is not true that Law defiles, it is not true that Law degrades. The Legal Profession has produced some of the finest and most independent characters whose names are imprinted on the scroll of history”.

GNDHIJI was trained in law in London. Gandhi became famous by fighting for the civil rights of Muslim and Hindu Indians in South Africa, using the new techniques of non-violent civil disobedience that he developed. Returning to India in 1915, he set about organizing peasants to protest excessive land-taxes.


Gandhiji said that “I had learnt the true practice of law. I had learnt to find the better side of human nature and to enter men’s hearts. I realized the true function of a lawyer was to unite parties riven as under. The lesson was so indelibly burnt into me, that a large part of my time during the twenty years of my practice as a lawyer was occupied in bringing about private compromises of hundreds of cases. I lost nothing thereby – not even money, certainly not my soul.”

He further said that a true lawyer is one who put truth and service in first place and the law is not an intellectual legerdemain to make block appear white and white appear block and it is a ceaseless endeavour to enthrone Justice.

That stream of justice has to be kept clear and pure and no one can be permitted to take liberties with it by soiling its purity.

Gandhiji as a Lawyer was overjoyed at the success of his first case in South Africa and concluded that the whole duty of an advocate was not to exploit legal and adversary advantages but to promote compromise and reconciliation



           
The thoughts of the great Sardar Vallabhai Patel, and the great Jawaharlal etc., may be and can be respected…. but it is very difficult to ignore the thoughts of our GANDHIJI… who never compromised with his believes and principles….  and even after the death , Kasturiba’s  soul might felt proud of non-compromising attitude of his husband “ MOHAN DAS KARAM CHAND GANDHI.

Albert Einstein said about GANDHIJI that "Generations to come, it may well be, will scarce believe that such a man as this one ever in flesh and blood walked upon this Earth.”, he further said that he believed  that Gandhiji’s views were the most enlightened of all the political men in their  time., and  We should strive to do things in his spirit.
THE WAY that can be find…the problem… that also can be solved….but lack of interest towards  holy object….and it is certainly not that because of Gandhiji is vegetarian but for values, believes of crores of people of this country …..Killing cow is an offence in Nepal.. why they made this law ? “Why Hon’ble Punjab and  Haryana High court made an order prohibited  the sale possession, consumption and purchase of non-vegetarian food items in the holy towns of Kurukshetra and Pehowa”.----- why Andhra Pradesh and other states in India do not have such kind of law ? first of all why there is no  Central Law to that extent all over the India ?

Although GANDHIJI  experimented with eating meat upon first leaving India, he later became a strict vegetarian. He wrote books on the subject while in London, having met vegetarian campaigner Henry Salt at gatherings of the Vegetarian Society. The idea of vegetarianism is deeply ingrained in Hindu and Jain traditions in India, and, in his native land of Gujarat, most Hindus were vegetarian. He experimented with various diets and concluded that a vegetarian diet should be enough to satisfy the minimum requirements of the body. He abstained from eating for long periods, using fasting as a political weapon.
An increasing proportion of population is vegerarian, and even more do not eat vegetarian food, because they believe that it is morally wrong to rear and kill animals to eat, when it is possible to live in good health without doing so., and they believe that a vegetarian diet is healthier( whether it may be true or not).

Govt.of India  appears a peace loving country, but in fact it runs its own slaughter houses and fish killing farms, but not interest in making a law to that extent that the non-veg. food is illegal.May be because not all Indians are of the same religion – we  have Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, Muslims, Christians, Jews, Sikhs and probably a few more minority religions and also because neither all Hindus are vegetarians, nor  all Buddhists are vegetarians , and nor  all Muslims are not vegetarians, and  Jains might be all vegetarians and so on…and  most visitors  to India are not vegetarians  Ofcourse People have the right to  choice over what they eat - it is immoral to dictate someones., and India is not a totalitarian state. In a democracy, the people are expected to make their own choices., and the members of parliament and state assemblies have their own choice to make laws to that extent for various reasons ,…. Not based on moralities, values, religious views, and customs etc.. Lokpal bill passed after so many years… Women Reservation bill has also pending for so many years…..so the Govt. makes new  law  for not specific purpose, but “ for various reasons “.

 The Non-Vegetarian food can be banned atleast in Holy towns… and in the land related to God… and religious believes, like Tirupathi, Srisailam, Bhadrachalam, Vijayawada,  and Sri Kalahasthi  etc..,  … instead of making such laws, the point is raised that … in every town or city there is a famous temple… how can ban non-vegetarian in all such towns ?  before this question, I wish to ask a question them that atleast …and Iam not using the phrase “ Cut and Throw”, Iam herewith stressing the word “ atleast”,…whether they started to think in that direction ? if they start to think , a possible solution can be find… but our govt. not interested in values of spiritual and religious etc…. first of all there is no temple for Lord Sri Rama in Ayodhya… where Lord Sri Rama  took birth…..

One friend argues that India is a democratic ---- I agree and he continues - making non vegetarian food illegal would be an infringement on the rights of its people and also a totalitarian, authoritarian, Stalinesque move of unparalleled idiocy…. I do not deny the fact that India is a democratic country…and I know that “ force is not always right course”. But what I wish to suggest the  people or government to start thinking towards the saying of Gandhiji…

Ofcourse  GANDHIJI is still alive in the hearts of people of India, but still we have no law to that extent to prohibit the Non-Vegetarian food atleast in Holy towns.

 Yes there is GANDHI in India and no LAW.

But there is a confident feeling in the minds of crores of people towards that Hon’Ble Judiciary… one day … and on one fine morning  will take the initiatives and a Leader …. Coming to rule this country … just for the values and for the benefit of the people… also may take positive steps… towards the direction of the people’ thoughts…and that initiative will be in good books of crores of Indians.
“ Yes! Please believe me that there is a solution for every problem… and what is the difficulty( but not too difficult and impossible ) is that the pattern…the situation…the type of solution….

Speaking truth is not impossible…which is a part of the process of finding solution to the problems…and there is no necessary to have selfishness…leads to hiding truth…leads to cheating etc..for solving problems…instead of that Yes! Instead of that we can use the power of love… by believing others.. by speaking truth..by telling the facts…the problem may be solved…. Of course , I agree this will be happen when all or major part of the society practice…but one step will be followed by two.. two thousand… two lakhs… two crores.. and so on…
                                                                                                                                                        
Gandhiji said “ that Fear and love are contradictory terms. Love is reckless in giving  away, oblivious as to what it gets in return. Love wrestles with the world as with itself and ultimately gains a mastery over all other  feelings. His daily experience, as of those who are working with him, was that every problem would lend itself to solution if we are determined to make the law of truth and non-violence the law of life. For truth and non-violence, are to him, faces of the same coin”.

Yes Bapuji is hundredpercent correct that love dominates over all other feelings…a poor can love.. a rich can love…a king can love… a devotee can love the God..and with the love, we can avoid the solutions by violence, hiding the truth, selfishness.., and causing injustice to others… but the solution with love and affection leads to ““No Winner and No Looser".

BAPUJI further said that Whether mankind will consciously follow the law of love I do not  know. But that need not perturb us. The law will work, just as the law  of gravitation will work whether we accept it or no.

 And just as a scientist will work wonders out of various applications of the laws of  nature, even so a man who applies the law of love with scientific precision can work greater wonders. For the force of non-violence is  infinitely more wonderful and subtle than the forces of nature, like for instance electricity. The man who discovered for us the law of love was a far greater scientist than any of our modern scientists. Only our explorations have not gone far enough and so it is not  possible for every one to see all its workings.... The more I work at  this law the more I feel the delight in life, the delight in the scheme of this universe. It gives me a peace and a meaning of the  mysteries of nature that I have no power to describe”.

It is truly said by Gandhiji .. yes when we are believing the “Law of Gravitation, we have to believe the “ Law of Love”… Iam confident that the Truth, Love will win with out doubt…  a revenge needs to kill the enemy…but final result is that the killer will have to loose the total love and affection of their family, friends..and society’ love…
Ofcourse.. there is Indian Penal code and Code of Criminal procedure., domestic violence Act.. etc.. those can punish the wrong doer ,  but Law of Love works as a precautionary…  a husband  may be punished under the provisions of the “ Domestic Violence Act”, but only after .. the great misunderstanding… Quarrel… etc.. are happening.

“ HAD THE SAID  HUSBAND USED THE LAW OF LOVE TOWARDS HIS WIFE, HE WOULD HAVE NOT BEEN PUNISHED BY THE PROVISIONS OF EITHER INDIAN PENAL CODE, CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT..ETC.”.

Such kind of persons who believe the Law of Gravitation, but  do not believe the ‘Law of Love”,Have to  believe the Law of Crimes and Punishment.

Violence means not only murders , and attempt  to murders, etc.., no need to talk about section 102 of Indian Penal Code,.... but it may be by a daughter to her parents, it may be  by son to his parents.... a daughter may create violence in the minds of her parents, and a son may be a cause for the mental agony for his parents... through their wrongful acts...those acts, according to their parents.. are certainly wrongs... arguments may be continued... and difference of opinions may take place... but ultimately.. who are the better judges ? whether parents or  children ? ...egos....immaturity......  
GANDHIJI's Non-Violence means... that we can understand ... peace ..not only in the society but also in the families ... families are certainly the part of the society... Law of Love is not enough...

AND  the responsibility of the children towards the parents .. in a situation and when the situation demands and requires... is also an important matter with regard to the non violence in the lives of the parents ....

The state of Himachal Pradesh  was the first state in the country to have a law for the maintenance of aged parents by implementing the HP Maintenance of Parents and Dependents Act, 2001.

HP Maintenance of Parents and Dependents Bill was passed by the Vidhan Sabha and was assented by the President of India on 8th  September, 2001. The only change that was made by the Centre was that it would not be applicable to Muslims in the state. 
But it is very interesting that not a single case has been registered in Himachal Pradesh by any senior citizen for payment of a maintenance allowance.

The Constitution of India, Directive Principles, Article 41--- The State shall , within the limits of its economic capacity and development , make effective provisions for … old age, sickness and disablement,, and in other cases of undeserved want.Code of Criminal Procedure (Chapter IX, Section 125(1)(2)) --- requires persons who have sufficient means to take care of his or her parents if they are unable to take care of themselves Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956 Requires Hindu sons and daughters to maintain their elderly parents when parents are unable to maintain themselves.

Now we will compare it with . Himachal Pradesh Maintenance of Parents and Dependents Act, 2001
Applicants must be below poverty line, parents and grandparents wife, minor son, unmarried daughter,and widow if all not able to maintain themselves; not applicable to Muslims.

Maximum amount for maintenance Rs 5,000 per month. Amount of maintenance To cover basic amenities Enforcement of maintenance order If the person liable for payment is a government employee,maintenance may be deducted from his salary.
If applicant is unable to make an application, any member of his family, any person in whose care  he resides, any other authorized person by him, or maintenance officer may file application Provisions for maintenance order must be ‘just and equitable', and the respondent should be able to first provide maintenance for himself, his wife and children Tribunal must  consider manner in which the applicant spent his savings, and if applicant is justified  living separately.
  
Laws in Some Countries requires children to provide care for their parents and makes provisions for parents to obtain  maintenance from children; requires state to provide appropriate residential facilities to destitute elderly without children.
United States:
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 Older Americans Act of 1965Creates the Administration on Aging within the Department of Health, Education and Welfare; authorises grants to States for community planning,services for elderly, and research and training in the field of aging.
China:
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 Law of the People’s Republic of China on Protection of the Rights and Interests of the Elderly, 1996 Places responsibility on families to care for elderly; establishes a state-based old-age insurance system, increases legal protection of elderly with speedy court procedure.
South Africa: Older Persons Act  of 1996
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Provides strict controls for registered old-age facilities; makes abuse of the elderly a criminal offense; creates social and cultural community-based services for elderly.
Canada (Saskatchewan & Manitoba): Parents Maintenance Act, 1978 & 1993 .
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Mandates children to pay maintenance to dependent parents up to $20 per week.
AND responsibility of the children towards the  feelings of the parents is also important to be a cause for or to avoid the violence in the hearts and minds of the parents.
                                                                                                                                                       
I wish to divide the law for this  specific purpose and just for a moment, into two parts: 
1. Justified Law
2. Unjustified Law
 and also Legal but unjustified , illegal but justified.

A girl after attaining the age of 18 years  can  marry any boy who get the age of 21 years.That marriage includes love marriage etc.,That marriage is legal, but I wish to state as under:

In order to safeguard the societal norms and social standing and the reputation,. and to avoid the cultural differences and more importantly to respect the feelings of the parents, who brought up their children from the day 1 to 18 years, I propose the law to that extent that a girl or boy when wish to marry after attaining the age of 18 years, the consent of the parents is mandatory and if the said girl or boy wish to marry with out consent of the parents, then the minimum age should be  23 years of girl and 25 years for boy.

It is no doubt , that there should not be feelings of untouchable in anywhere, even intercaste marriages are also to be  encouraged, but what I would like to stress that the feelings of the parents. Is it  not our responsibility to respect and recognize the feelings of the parents ?. Law is O.K., intercaste marriages , love marriages without consent of the parents  are legal in India. But what about the justification ? then why in PHILIPPINES there is a law that the parents consent is a mandatory for this kind of marriages, and also after some age parents advice is a mandatory. Is the  argument that since there is no similar law in other countries,  it is not necessary to have a such kind of law in  India , is valid ? O.K. if it is valid , can any one defeat one's opinion    that the parents feelings should be respected ? who talks about the social justice, and social reforms and what ever he wants to talk except the Justification of Law .
Just for reference :

The  rule on parental consent is found under Article 14 of the Family Code of PHILIPPINES . It states that in case either or both of the contracting parties are between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one, they shall exhibit to the local civil registrar, the consent to their marriage of their father, mother, surviving parent or guardian, or persons having legal charge of them, in the order mentioned. The parental consent shall be manifested in writing by the interested party, who personally appears before the proper local civil registrar, or in the form of an affidavit made in the presence of two witnesses and attested before any official authorized by law to administer oaths. The personal manifestation shall be recorded in both applications for marriage license, and the affidavit, if one is executed instead, shall be attached to said applications.

Non-compliance with the requirement of parental consent does not make the marriage invalid or void but merely annullable, which means that the marriage is valid until annulled.  As a result, a petition for the annulment of the marriage may be filed by the parents, guardian or person having substitute parental authority over the party seeking the annulment, in that order, unless after attaining the age of twenty-one, such party freely cohabited with the other and both lived together as husband and wife.

PARENTAL ADVICE
The rule on parental advice is found under Article 15 of the Family Code. It states that any contracting party between the age of twenty-one and twenty-five shall be obliged to ask their parents or guardian for advice upon the intended marriage. If they do not obtain such advice, or if it be unfavorable, the marriage license shall not be issued till after three months following the completion of the publication of the application therefor.
A sworn statement by the contracting parties to the effect that such advice has been sought, together with the written advice given, if any, shall be attached to the application for marriage license. Should the parents or guardian refuse to give any advice, this fact shall be stated in the sworn statement.

However, if the marriage license is issued within the said three months and the parties were able to get married on the basis of such marriage license, the said marriage is completely valid but will subject the parties to civil, criminal or administrative liabilities in accordance with Article 4, Paragraph 3 of the Family Code of the Philippines which states that:

“An irregularity in the formal requisites shall not affect the validity of the marriage but the party or parties responsible for the irregularity shall be civilly, criminally and administratively liable.”

The marriage is very important stage in every one's life.. And   No parents cannot be forced to accept the marriage proposal of their children .
********************************************************************to be continued*******















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