Public Celebrations: According to a law formulated in1911, no public meeting or discussion of any subject likely to cause disturbance or public excitement or for the exhibition or distribution of any writing or printed matter relating to any such subject is punishable. In case, to hold such a meeting, a written notice of the intention, time and place of such meeting has to be acknowledged to the District Magistrate or the Commissioner of Police at least three days prior to the event.
Kite Flying: The Aircraft Act, 1934 declares negligent kite flying as an offense punishable with two years of prison or a fine of Rs 10 lakh. According to the Act, kites are considered as an aircraft and the same laws that apply for planes are applied for flying kites as well. So in a nation that holds events for kite flying, remember, it’s all under “expert supervision”.
2 Kids: This applies only to Kerala. A law prohibiting families from having more than two kids; Parents are slapped with only a fine in case they do go ahead and have a third child.
Women NOT Adulterers?? : Women are not adulterers. This funky law of Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code was drafted during the 1860s under British rule when men used to have more than one wife and women had little rights. According to the law, a man can be jailed for cheating on his spouse but women can basically be with any number of non-husbands as they want without any legal action being taken against them.
Only India Post: The Indian Post Office is the be all and end all of delivery. According to the Indian Post Office Act, 1898, it is illegal to send letters through any other service apart from the Indian Post Office.
Drums: Drums are to be beaten to drive away locusts. The East Punjab Agricultural Pests, Diseases, and Noxious Weeds Act, 1949 requires citizens of Delhi to get out on the street and go crazy showing off their percussion skills in order to ward off locusts.
Healthy & Shiny Teeth: Andhra Pradesh’s Motor Vehicle Department. The Indian Motor Vehicles Act, 1914 pretty much states that the most important qualification one needs in order to be an inspector in Andhra Pradesh is to have good teeth.
Adoption: The Indian Majority Act, 1875 allows men to be able to adopt a child at the age of 18.
Gender Specific: The Hindu Adoptions And Maintenance Act, 1956 makes it illegal to adopt a child of the same sex as one you already have.
Suicide Laws: Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code states you will be locked up for a year if you fail to kill yourself as you planned to.
By:Archa Dave
