Law and Everyday Life

Law and Everyday Life is a “toolkit” – comprising of a workbook, workshop template and infographics – which explores the influence of law in everyday life. It has been published by Justice Adda, a digital initiative focusing on making knowledge on law and human rights accessible. The editors of the toolkit are Aparna Mehrotra and Naomi Jose, and Siddhi Gupta is the designer and illustrator. 

It aims to provide youths (aged 15-24 years) a basic understanding of law and legal institutions and bolster the ability to identify legal issues in daily life. It presents information on an individual’s rights and how to enforce them. The 79-page toolkit is divided into 5 chapters, contributed by 7 individuals. The following are summaries of five of the publication’s chapters, which cover significant aspects of law and everyday life:

Chapter 1: Our Spaces, My Rights; authored by Aparna Mehrotra, Naomi Jose and Siddharth de Souza.
This chapter explores the impact of law in everyday life within various spaces such as homes, schools, workplaces, and public areas. A civic space is a physical location where individuals can freely express themselves and actively participate in their community. These spaces are instrumental for organizing, voicing opinions, protesting, and catalyzing change within society, the chapter notes. Being informed about one’s rights and responsibilities guides and empowers individuals to safeguard themselves against injustice. By examining scenarios that young people might encounter, the chapter aims to make readers aware of their rights and the responsibilities. “The law is also not a dead thing,” the chapter states, highlighting that laws apply to individuals irrespective of their background of prior knowledge of the law. 

Chapter 2: The Constitution and You; authored by Sumedha Ray Sarkar.
This chapter discusses the Indian Constitution by explaining its role in shaping Indian identity and providing a comprehensive legal framework for everyday life. The chapter discusses the structure and key principles of the Constitution, including the Preamble, federalism and fundamental rights.  Through thought experiments and activities, learners explore the theoretical underpinnings of their basic rights and understand the mechanisms safeguarding these rights. The chapter probes questions such as: “Suppose you have a government job which you hold based on your performance. One fine day, you are removed from that job - but no one has told you why. Do you have a right to know why you’ve been removed”?  It highlighting the Article of the Constitution which relates of the such incidents, the chapter aims to foster a deeper understanding of how constitutional principles translate into everyday rights and responsibilities.

Chapter 3: Court of Law - Enforcing your Rights; authored by Talha Abdul Rahman. 
This chapter introduces the judicial system and the processes involved in enforcing rights through the courts. It covers various aspects of the legal process, including writ remedies, the structure of the Supreme Court and High Courts, and the roles of legal professionals like lawyers and judges. The chapter aims to demystify the judicial system, making it approachable and understandable for young people. It offers practical advice on how to navigate the judicial system, including meeting a lawyer, entering the courtroom and the possible obstacles that may be faced in the process. The chapter includes engaging flowcharts, information boxes, interactive questions and a glossary. 

Chapter 4: The Long Arm of the Law; authored by Abhinav Sekhri. 
This chapter discusses aspects of criminal law, introducing Indian Penal Code, 1860, Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, and Indian Evidence Act,1872. It lists the procedure of filing a FIR (First Information Report) and states, “As a victim, you are entitled to a copy of the FIR, free of cost”. It explains the procedures related to arrest, bail, detention, and the rights of the accused. This chapter emphasizes the importance of procedural safeguards and due process, ensuring that individuals are treated fairly within the legal system. Through illustrative stories, learners gain insights into what they should do when in conflict with the law and the steps they can take to protect themselves or seek justice if they are victims of a crime. 

Chapter 5: Electing and Working with your Representatives; authored by Maansi Verma.
This chapter focuses on the electoral processes and explains how public representatives can be held accountable through the RTI Act, 2005. It outlines the institutions and processes that govern voting in India, the lawmaking process, and the role of engaged citizens in a democracy. By providing practical advice and examples, the chapter aims to empower youths to become informed and active participants in their civic duties and responsibilities. Some of the strategies the chapter lists for this are: writing petitions to policy makers, creating a collective, organize seminars, create social media campaigns and more. 

Focus by Arunima Mandwariya.