How would B.R. Ambedkar feel right now, if he were with us? The poor soul and his team spent months, maybe years framing India’s constitution. The longest written constitution of a sovereign state in the world.
Over time though, some laws have been broken so often without any repercussions that we barely acknowledge their existence (or respect them).
Here are seven law-breaking habits, some people really find impossible to get rid of, from an inexhaustible list:
1. Public Mutra-Visarjan
Let’s start with the most honorable habit Indian men (and sometimes women) have – urinating in public.
Despite what these people may think, inhaling the smell of people’s urine is not the same as smelling a bouquet. What’s more is that there are now designated spots for this purpose on every street, where everyone’s urine meets to create the perfect cocktail of death.
I guess we’ll just have to take learn from PK’s Aamir Khan and post images of gods and deities over all our walls.
2. No Thulla? Jump the Signal!
There was a time, not too long ago, when traffic signals were no more than a joke in Indian cities. Thankfully, there has been some sort of improvement in this area. Now at least, on major traffic signals, people try to obey the laws and not jump any signals. But that’s majorly because there is traffic police stationed at almost every crowded junction. If it weren’t for the cops (who we Delhiites call
If it weren’t for the cops (who we Delhiites call Thullas, out of love), there would be absolute mayhem on the roads. Even now, if there is no police in sight, or while driving on smaller streets, traffic laws are blatantly ignored.
Read More: Dear Kejru, Implement These 5 Solutions To Solve The Delhi Traffic Problem
3. All the World’s a Dustbin
Clean clothes – check. Clean Home – check. Clean car – check. Clean streets – LOL.Even after dozens of campaigns and thousands of posters advocating cleanliness and sanitation in India, littering remains a huge public menace. Be it plastic bottles or banana peels, everything finds a safe abode in the arms of India’s streets.
Even after dozens of campaigns and thousands of posters advocating cleanliness and sanitation in India, littering remains a huge public menace. Be it plastic bottles or banana peels, everything finds a safe abode in the arms of India’s streets.
4. No Thulla? Just Park Here!
As our economy grows and people get richer, car sales increase and parking spots get harder to find. Out of a lack of choices, people are forced to now resort to parking their cars on the sides of streets.
Often four-lane roads are shrunk to one-lane roads, but who cares? While this is a punishable offense, even the traffic cops can’t do much about it. It all comes down to infrastructural shortcomings, both at a private and governmental level.
5. Do You Ever Feel Like a Plastic Bag?
I quite distinctly remember a law being passed by the Supreme Court of India banning the use of plastic bags. M.F. Husain had also finally rejoiced at his paintings not being the only thing banned from being used in India.
Alas, many years (plus numerous amendments and bent rules) later plastic bags are still used by the Indian masses. Of course, Westside charges people about 7 Rupees for a bag. But that shouldn’t really be a problem for people who spend 10,000 rupees on clothing.
6. No Thulla? Seatbelt Whaaa?!
Admit it. We’ve all done this. Nobody likes wearing a seatbelt, despite the fact that Indian cars have some of the worst safety standards. And like most other traffic laws, the law regarding seatbelts in only upheld on highways, or when the traffic police are around.
7. Pirates of the Bay
Guilty as charged. This is probably the favorite illegal activity on this list, of everyone, ever. Why spend money buying a movie ticket or renting a DVD when you can just download it for free?
Also, Indian television channels are still stuck with TV shows which aired their series finale years ago. So, desperate viewers have no choice but to resort to breaking the law. *cries*
These broken laws are probably not too easy to fix. But who knows? Maybe there’s some AAP magic in store. Or maybe Modi waves a wand and brings upon us the ‘achhe din’ we were promised.
Till then I guess we’ll all just break laws, evade cops and save money using illegal downloads.
Picture Credits-Google images
By Lakshaya Soin
Other Recommendations:
http://edtimes.in/2015/02/10-archaic-laws-india-need-attention/
http://edtimes.in/2017/04/pay-not-pay-modi-government-finally-puts-end-service-charge-dilemma/
