Jaya Kohli, University Institute of Legal Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh
ABSTRACT
“If the law fails to respond to the needs of changing society, then either it will stifle the growth of the society and choke its progress or if the society is vigorous enough, it will cast away the law which stands in the way of its growth. Law must therefore constantly be on the move, adapting itself to the rapidly changing society and not lag behind.”
The above words by Justice Bhagwati in the case of National Textile Workers’ Union v. P.R Ramakrishnan (1983) clearly point towards the dynamism, interdependence and inseparability of law and social change. In this research paper, the candidate will elucidate upon the manner in which law acts as an ideal instrument of social change while at the same time illustrating the same with several detailed examples. In addition, the researcher has also conducted a survey via a questionnaire seeking to understand the public opinion towards the effectiveness of law as an instrument of social change; the findings of the same shall also be discussed in detail.
