Archive · 27 Sep 2026
Orissa High Court Judge Highlights Law’s Role in Social Change
Justice Sashikanta Mishra said laws can help change society for the better.
He explained that laws can protect people’s rights and make governments more responsible.
He gave the abolition of untouchability as one important example.
He also mentioned rules requiring helmets and seat belts to improve safety.
The ban on smoking in public places changed how people behave in shared spaces.
Other laws support access to information and protect disadvantaged groups.
Laws have also addressed practices such as dowry, sati and child marriage.
Mishra said good governance requires honesty, accountability, transparency and public participation.
He encouraged agriculture students to understand the realities of farming.
Justice Sashikanta Mishra called law an engine of social change and good governance.
He cited Article 17, which abolishes untouchability, as an example of law removing social barriers.
He said helmets, seat belts and public-smoking restrictions have changed public behavior.
Mishra highlighted the Right to Information Act, third-gender recognition and reservation policies.
He said accountability, transparency, public participation and anti-corruption measures are essential to good governance.
- Who
- Orissa High Court Judge Justice Sashikanta Mishra addressed the audience, including agriculture students.
- What
- He delivered a lecture on law as an instrument of social change and good governance.
- When
- The lecture was held on Saturday.
- Where
- The lecture took place at SOA Deemed to be University.
- Why
- Mishra explained how laws protect rights, address social evils, influence public behavior and strengthen governance.
- Speaker
- Justice Sashikanta Mishra of the Orissa High Court
- Lecture topic
- Law as an Instrument of Social Change and Good Governance
- Venue
- SOA Deemed to be University
- Examples of social change
- Abolition of untouchability, restrictions on smoking, and legal measures against dowry, sati and child marriage
- Rights and inclusion
- The Right to Information Act, third-gender recognition and reservation policies
- Good governance
- Adherence to law, accountability, transparency and public participation
- Anti-corruption measure
- The Prevention of Corruption Act