sociology of Law

Sociology of Law: A Study on Dhankut of District Bahraich (U.P)

Dr. Alok Chantia
Dr. Preeti Misra
Dr. Rohit Mishra
Indian Association of Social Scientists, Lucknow.
12/119 Indira Nagar Lucknow-16 (U.P.)
alokchantia@rediffmail.com

Law is nothing but some rules which regulate one’s behavior. In this regard law is a prescriptive pattern of behaviour. Law may be defined as inner and outer or visible and invisible rules. When an individual absents himself form different behavior it shows his inner control which is governed by some rules. Apart from this, some rules are made by society, community or group to regulate its functions. Pluralism is not only a source to understand law in democracy. It is very important to sketch the profile of Law, and constitution to put a pseudo picture of smoothness of life of an individual. Law has an economic aspect too and even after knowing all the laws and its proceedings an individual is not capable to knock the doors of court because of lack of money. So it is very important to know the role of money in accessing law for the redress of grievances. It is also important to analyse the existence of local political organization for maintaining law and order in a community while many democratic legal institutions are present.
In this regard Dhankut represents its best image to understand the meaning and significance of law. Dhankut is an endogamous group of district Bahraich of U.P residing near indo-Nepal border.They represent 2087 population (2001 census). They are neither listed in four folded Hindu caste system nor under the category of SC/ST/OBC. No. literature in available about them so for . Cross cousin and parallel cousin marriages are their queer characteristics. Due to poverty they are victim of circumstances and they cannot afford to go to Law courts for the resolution of their disputes. Present study shows the role of law and legal institutions amongst Dhankut .
It is a participant observation based study. It is an exploratory cum descriptive type of work. Since due to illiteracy they are not in a position to tell everything, 300 respondents above 18 years of age, both male and female were chosen also for interview by random sampling. This study was carried out between 15 April and 11 June 2007
Result shows that 80% respondents are aware about Court, law etc. 86% say that Law can help them in accessing better social life, 91% say that poverty is main hindrance to reach to law courts. 87% say that origin, identity, caste and economy are decisive factors for attaining justice through courts. 82% say that respect for law makes a better nation and an individual.
Present study reveals that if a group in suffering from identity crisis and poverty it leads to human right violation even though it is well conversant about law and legal institutions.