The Indian Parliament is responsible for making new laws for the country.

The Parliament makes laws as per the needs and interests of the people.

But at times, even the Parliament is not able to see some major issues in society.

In that case, people have to come forward and demand the laws for them.

Let us try to understand this through the example of domestic violence against women

Domestic Violence is the physical, economic, sexual, verbal, and emotional abuse against any woman by an adult male of the family.

Women were ill-treated, tortured in many households.

Due to repeated incidents, women felt that they need protection from this domestic violence.

So, women decided to approach the Parliament and demand for a new law against the violence.

Throughout the 1990s, the need for a new law was raised in different forums

In 1999, a group of lawyers, law students, and activists, took the lead in drafting the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill.

This bill was widely circulated among people to give their suggestions.

Finally, in 2002, the bill was introduced in Parliament but it did not include many suggestions.

Several women’s organizations, the National Commission for Women asked the Parliamentary committee to make changes in the bill.

After carefully looking at the demands, the Parliament committee decided to make changes in the bill.

In December 2002, the Parliament submitted its recommendations to the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.

This report included most of the demands of the women's group.

In 2005, the new bill was introduced and passed in both the Houses of Parliament.

And after President's assent, The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act came into effect in 2006.

This law played a very important role for women in getting their rights.

So, with this example, we can see how citizens can raise the issues of society and urge the Parliament to make new laws.

The citizen can raise their voice through TV reports, newspaper editorials, radio broadcasts, local meetings.

All of which help in making the work that Parliament does more accessible and transparent to the people.

Not all laws passed by the Parliament are accepted and implemented.

Sometimes, even after a new law is passed, the citizens may feel the law to be unfair and harmful.

People might criticize this law, hold public meetings, write about it in newspapers, report to TV news channels, etc.

When more people feel that a wrong law has been passed, the Parliament has to change the law.

If the law favors one group and disregards the other it will be controversial and lead to conflicts.

People who think that the law is not fair can approach the court to decide on the issue.

The court has the power to modify or cancel laws if any law doesn’t adhere to the Constitution.

Thus a role as citizens does not end with electing our representatives.

We should also help Parliament perform its representative functions properly.

Revision

The Indian Parliament has an important role in making laws.

An important role of Parliament is to be sensitive to the problems faced by people.

The role of citizens is crucial in helping Parliament frame different concerns that people might have into laws.

People who think that the law is not fair can approach the court to decide on the issue.

The court has the power to modify or cancel laws if it finds that they don’t adhere to the Constitution.

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