This year has been filled with a lot of groundbreaking judgments which paved way for many reforms. Each of these laws in their own unique way have proved that the future of India looks promising for the years to come.
Youth must know these laws. Take a look.
- ‘Protection’ of ‘Rights for ‘Homebuyers’
An apex court has taken strict action against builders who have failed to deliver flats to homebuyers on time. The court even stated that some of the builders had to pay a deposit of 125 crores to protect the interest of homebuyers.
- ‘Privacy’ is a ‘Fundamental Right’
On 24thAugust 2017, the Supreme Court ruled that ‘privacy is a fundamental right as a part of Article 21 of the Constitution. This ruling challenges schemes such as Aadhar and urges the government to adopt a system to protect the privacy of individuals.
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- ‘Ban’ on ‘Women Entering Temples’
After the controversy surrounding the Shani Shignapur temple in Maharashtra, the Mumbai court ruled that women had the fundamental right to enter any place of worship which allows men to enter. Following this judgement, the Supreme Court soon announced that temples in India do not have the Constitutional Right to deny women entry into a temple.
- Maternity Leave
In the first weeks of March, this year, Parliament passed a bill stating that paid maternity leave would be raised to 26 weeks. Earlier women were only guaranteed paid leave for up to 12 weeks. This decision puts India on the map as the third highest country in the world to offer paid maternity leave.
- ‘Triple Talaq’ is ‘Illegal’
In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court ruled this year that the Muslim practice of Triple Talaq to be unconstitutional. The case was brought forth by Shayara Banu in 2016 and had been under much tug-of-war until a verdict by the Supreme Court who declared this practice is defiant to principles of equality and is not an essential part of Islam.
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- No ‘Red Beacons’ on ‘Government Cars’
The Supreme Court announced in April that the red beacon atop government vehicles will be banned. The ban applies to the Prime Minister, various Chief Ministers, bureaucrats, judges and so on. Ambulances, fire service vehicles, and police cars will be allowed to use blue beacons.
- ‘National Anthem’ Before ‘Movies’
The Supreme Court overturned Chief Justice Dipak Mishra’s earlier ruling that it was mandatory to stand up for the National Anthem played before a movie. The order replaced the word “shall” with “may” and brought to light the notion that patriotism cannot be enforced on the people.
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- ‘Community Toilet’ for ‘Transgenders’ in Bhopal
On the 2nd of October, the first public toilet for transgenders was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chauhan, in Bhopal’s Mangalwara area. He further announced that his administration would be taking steps to ensure that members of the transgender community receive their due equal rights.
- ‘Death Penalty’ for ‘Nirbhaya Case’ Accused
The Nirbhaya case hearing has long been pending. In view of the barbaric nature of the crime committed, the court ruled that the accused persons would be sentenced to death. This judgment was met with praise from the masses. Furthermore, it acted as a catalyst to bring forth tougher laws for those who commit rape and other such heinous crimes.
- Section 377
With the ruling that the right to privacy was a fundamental right, the Supreme Court also declared that Section 377 too extends to the same. This is a huge step for the LGBTQ community in India, who have long been under scrutiny and held with contempt under the law which discriminates based on the sexual orientation of an individual.
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