Weird Laws from around the world
Srijan Sachan,
Babu Banarasi Das University
When we hear the word “Law”, the first thing comes to our mind is court, constitution, advocates, etc. Various journalist, authors, jurists and legal professionals has tried to define the word “Law”, but still the definition of Law is unclear. The definition of Law is unclear, because of which some provisions of the Law can be mysterious or motive less.
In India, there are more than 1000 legislation (including the state legislations), having a huge number of legislations can make some strange legislations, such as The Indian Telegraph Act 1885, The Indian Aircraft Act 1934, The Factories Act 1948, etc. In addition, India also contains some weird Laws such as –
Section – 377 of IPC: which states that, unnatural sex including oral sex is a criminal offence.
Section – 309 of IPC: which states that, suicide is a punishable offence and can led to the imprisonment.
Article – 51A(h) – which states that, it is the duty of every citizen to develop the spirit of injury.
Article – 47: which states that, it was the duty of the state to raise the level of nutrition.
Article – 44: which encourages the enforcement of Uniform Civil Court in a secular country.
There are some other provisions, which didn’t include the ideology of Salus populi suprema lex. Rather than India, the country named as “United Arab Emirates” contains the weirdest provisions in its constitution.
United Arab Emirates (UAE), is situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering Oman and Saudi Arabia. Most of the population know the UAE as Abu Dhabi or Dubai. UAE contains the federation of six emirates – Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain and Fujairah. UAE is famous for its luxurious parks and skyscrapers, in order to maintain the beauty of their parks, roads, skyscrapers, etc., they made some Laws, which the world seems strange.
Public displays of affection are considered as punishable offence in UAE.
UAE has its own dress code, if someone doesn’t follow the dress code of UAE, then it can lead to imprisonment for such person.
If someone live with a person, to whom he/she is not married, then it can lead to the imprisonment.
Flushing toilet after 10 p.m. is an offence in UAE.
Eating or drinking in a public transport of UAE can lead to a huge fine.
Using curse words on social media can cause a trouble for such person in UAE.
Checking someone’s phone is considered as crime in UAE.
Having uncleaned car is an offence for UAE.
And there is more such type of Laws, which UAE contains. The reason for having such weird Laws, is to protect the interest of the visitors of Dubai. About 12% of UAE’s economy is supported by tourism.
Further, the Singapore also contains such type of Laws –
Singapore fines a person who caught smoking outside, about $100 - $800.
Connecting with some other person’s wi-fi can lead to a serious trouble, in Singapore.
For not flushing toilets can lead to a fine of $1000, in Singapore.
Selling gum in Singapore can lead to huge fine and 2 years of jail.
Feeding pigeons is a crime in Singapore.
Jaywalking is prohibited in Singapore.
Reason for having such weird Laws, is to protect the cultural values of the people of Singapore. The next country is Italy, which contains some unusual Laws.
There is a Law in Italy which states that, no one can smile in Milan, if someone caught smiling in Milan, then such person can face a huge fine with imprisonment.
Building sand castles in Eraclea is illegal.
No one can touch genitals in public.
Feeding pigeons in Venice is a crime.
Italy is considered as the most perfect country in the world; in order to maintain such title, the government of Italy has made such Laws. Similarly, Australia also contains such types of weird Laws
Driving with speed more than 40 km/hr is considered as crime in Australia.
In Australia, possessing more 50 kg of potato is illegal.
If someone rings bell too many times, then such person can face a huge fine.
The above-mentioned countries have made some unusual Laws, in order to protect the cultural believes of the citizens and to increase their tourism, which is beneficial for their economy. There many countries, which contains unusual Laws according to the world, but for the citizens of such countries such Laws are usual in their lives.
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