This term, “Obedience to the unenforceable”, I came across long back, may be in a book by or on Nani Palkhivala. I do not remember the context in which this was used. It has been haunting me ever since. While the meaning is discernible, I was thinking about the wider implications. As citizens we are expected to obey the laws of the land.

   Generally the laws are enforced by law enforcement agencies. But not all violations are taken cognizance of by the authorities. Our statute books are overflowing with laws enacted to meet the day to day exigencies. Policemen cannot be present everywhere and not all laws are enforced strictly. Minor deviations or violations are overlooked even by authorities.

    Thus even laws which are enforceable are not implemented or obeyed. After the pandemic, a rule was imposed by the local Municipality that spitting on the roads is punishable by a fine. But I see daily people spitting on....