Lord Macaulay played a significant role in introducing the European, specifically British, education system in the Indian subcontinent. He also had a distinct vision regarding the legal framework.
He believed that a simple, clear, and uniform legal system was necessary for the Indian subcontinent to facilitate administration and strengthen colonial rule.
The penal code he drafted became the foundation for the criminal codes of present-day India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
Just as we naturally comprehend the laws of nature, Lord Macaulay believed that laws should be self-evident and understandable to all, without requiring specialized knowledge.
In other words, legal codes should be inherently clear and accessible to everyone.
However, the current scenario in the subcontinent and other underdeveloped nations suggests that for most ordinary people, the law appears to be a set of alien rules. They neither know nor understand it, and certainly—do not follow it.
In instances where an unruly mob engages in assaulting someone—a legally punishable offense—it is often observed that many bystanders record the brutal act on video.
Even when aware that they are being filmed, these perpetrators do not retreat from their violent actions. They know that such videos provide clear evidence of their crimes, yet they take the law into their own hands.
What causes this? Is it a lack of respect for the law? Or an inability to grasp its importance? Many argue that disregard for the law is a major crisis in the Third World. Lord Macaulay envisioned a legal system that was simple, clear, and capable of ensuring justice while facilitating governance.
Unfortunately, this vision has yet to be fully realized in the Third World, where violations of the law are widespread.
One of the main reasons for this lack of compliance is the general public’s lack of legal awareness. Macaulay believed that laws should be inherently understandable to all.
However, the reality in many Third World countries is quite different—legal language is complex, court procedures are cumbersome, and the judicial process is plagued by delays and corruption.
As a result, instead of adhering to the law, people look for ways to circumvent it. Another major issue is the inconsistency in law enforcement, which fosters distrust in the legal system. Ideally, the law should be equal for all, but in many cases, Third World nations exhibit significant discrepancies in its application.
Unfortunately, due to the lack of justice in Third World countries, people often take it upon themselves to enforce their own sense of justice, leading to mob violence and so-called "people’s courts".
This results in widespread chaos and ultimately, the anarchy of the jungle. The pressing question is: how can respect for the law be reinstated in these nations?
Firstly, increasing legal awareness through widespread legal education and simplified explanations of laws is essential. Secondly, basic legal knowledge should be integrated into the education system so that future generations can understand the importance of law.
It must be remembered that the law is not merely a structural framework for governance; it reflects a nation's moral and social values. Without respect for the law, stability in society cannot be maintained.
Once the anarchy of the jungle takes hold in the Third World, it becomes nearly impossible to control—like releasing a genie from a bottle that can no longer be contained.
