Why only women? There is need to have a debate on the sanctity of all the laws as still we are following the laws made by the Britishers. Not only this, in 1950, when Constitution of India was adopted, the situation was different but now with the passage of time, the values of life have changed. 

If you think about the Indian Penal Codes, you will be surprised. In case there is a change in the humanity, there is also a change in the crimes being committed by them. The laws should also be according to the circumstances. But it is not like that government does not talk about this but the process to change the 100 years old laws is very slow. 

In 1998, the National Democratic Alliance government found in the report of  the committee headed by P.C. Jain that there is a need to change 1382 laws and unfortunately only 415 laws have so far been changed.  The change in 17 laws is still under consideration and 9 are under scrutiny. In other words, the work on more than 50 per cent laws has not yet been started.

You might recollect, Aamir Khan in context of his film promotion stayed at Hotel in Mughal Sarai by changing his costumes. In view of issues raised due to terrorism, one has to disclose his original identity while staying in the hotel but he did not do so. The then district collector when wanted to take action against the owner of the hotel, he showed the 150-year-old Sarai Law of 1867 which was formed for convenience by the Britishers but we have not thought to change the same.

Like wise, according to Punjab Jail Manual 1916, there is a ban of wearing Gandhi cap and black turban.  This law was made by the Britishers when the jails were filled less by the criminals but much by the independence revolutionaries. At that time, it was a common thing to protest by wearing Gandhi cap or black turban like that of black badges by the employees now. But the surprising factor is that the law makers have not been able to put their hands on this law to change.

We Indians are against language, caste, creed among the humanity but according to Jail Manual, the foreign prisoner still can have a drink while in the jail while Indians are banned to it.  No doubt, the law was made for the convenience of Britishers who ruled over Indian centuries but after the independence of India , the law is still in vogue and we have not thought to change it also.

It is pertinent to mention that some years back, we were not allowed to hoist the national flag in our house or in any other premises, except on the symbolic days. But after a long fight by Naveen Jindal, MP in the court of law, it was decided as to what is the harm in it. Now, we can hoist the national flag at our home on any day.  The meaning is crystal clear that the laws under which we are living, they are outdated rather they have no motive at all.  We should not forget that the laws to prevent the crimes rather it speaks about the image of the country.  In ‘Old Testament’, there is mention of ‘Eye for Eye’ and this was in practice up to middle age.

There is an historical story. It is said, during the period of Jahangir, Nurjahan shot one arrow which hit the washer man washing the clothes on the bank of Yamuna and he died. His widow made an appeal before the Jahangir. Jahangir said to the wife of washer man, “Nurjahan has taken the life of your husband and in return, you can kill his husband. I am present.

Is it possible to think in the present circumstances? If not, the government should think over to replace the outdated laws, put a new life in them lest the incidents like Delhi would continue to occur.