"Because law is deeply implicated in our economic, political, and social worlds, pursuit of social change invariably involves an engagement with law." Critically examine the statement.

Law and social change

Law is a powerful agent of social change according to Yogendar Singh. Its implications can be understood through following roles.

1. Law legitimises a social change - eg. social movements against untouchability to Article 17 as fundamental right.

2. Law hastens or provides momentum to a social change.

eg., Prohibition of child marriage Act to reduce child marriages with force.

1. Law initiates a positive social change eg., Right to Education.

2. Law forbids a negative social change eg., PCPNDT Act to arrest child sex-determination & abortion.

Impact of law on social change - economic, political, social sectors

1. Economic world - law played major role to establish socialist State controlled economy post-independence and later transformation to LPG phase post-1991 reforms.

2. Political world - law protects democracy in India from derailing into a dictatorship with the constitution.

3. Social world - Law helped to bring equality by preventing gender discrimination (Equal Remuneration Act) and caste discrimination (SC/ST Atrocities Act).

Challenges that remain despite legislations

1. According to Andre Beteille, laws may provide directions but it is the people who determine its effectivenes through adherence.

2. Despite elaborate laws, social evils like gender discrimination and caste-discrimination continuum because socio-cultural values are deeply rooted.

3. Laws become ineffective due to poor implementation.

4. Often laws are outdated without amendments to reflect contemporary reality eg., Criminal Tribes Act.