12 B. Social change — law as an engine of reform

Law does not merely mirror society; it can deliberately change it:Instrument ofchangeNepali exampleAbolishing old wrongsAbolition of birta land tenure (Land Act 2021); criminalisation of untouchability (Caste-based Discrimination and Untouchability (Offence and Punishment) Act 2068; Art. 24 of the Constitution)Transforming family lawGender equality in inheritance and property (11th amendment of the Muluki Ain 2020, now the Civil Code 2074); criminalisation of child marriage; marital rape recognised as rapeInclusionMandatory inclusive provisions (Arts. 38(4), 42, 84(8)) in representationSocial campaigns legalisedProhibition of chhaupadi (Criminal Code 2074, s. 168); witchcraft accusation criminalised (s. 168)The debate — Roscoe Pound vs. Eugen Ehrlich: Pound ("law is social engineering") holds law can consciously re-engineer society; Ehrlich ("the living law") warns that rules which outrun social acceptance remain "paper law". Both are right in turn — the child-marriage prohibition shows law leading norms; persistent untouchability shows law lagging behind norms. Effective change-law needs enforcement and social support.