I have, of late, been surfing the Internet for newspaper articles related to the misuse of Sec 498A. In the course of my search, I have come across several stories related to the abuse women (they say women, but they actually mean wives) face in their homes at the hands of their ‘tyrannical’ husbands. What surprises me is that only a handful of women are quoted in these articles. It is as if Ranjana Kumari (director of the Centre for Social Research and president of WomenPowerConnect), Girija Vyas (National Commission for Women chairperson) and ‘eminent’ lawyer Flavia Agnes, among a few others, are the sole representatives of the female population in India.
India is democratic country which means Government of the people, by the people and for the people. But the laws are made of the one-sided feminists and biased views of a few leaders and these “wrong laws” are passed by the law-makers which in turn are implemented by the police, the judiciary and lawyers which are supposed to be for the people. But do such unethical and biased laws really give justice to the innocent and falsely victimized citizens? The Police having insufficient or no knowledge of laws is given the powers to harass and arrest people. The poor innocent citizens are terrorized under the pretext of following the laws and orders.
The Gram Panchayats are prevalent from decades in our country. Although the “Mukhiya” of these panchayats are not much learned people but they are far much better off than the so-called “Learned and well educated Judges” of all the courts. The panchayats are capable of disposing of any matters coming to them immediately after patiently hearing both the parties, but the honorable judges although having a study of the laws are incapable or rather reluctant to deliver judgments or grant justice to the litigants even after years. Is it that these learned judges are ignorant of the laws that have to be followed or is it that they do not sense the “accountability and responsibility” that is on their shoulders?
In the recent past a lot has been said about woman empowerment and much hype is given to it as well throughout the world. India is a country that has always over-pampered and over protected only one section of woman (young wives and daughters-in-law (DIL)), but has totally ignored and overlooked the other two-thirds section of woman (mothers and sisters of husband) to a large extent in every sphere of society by the Government, the law makers and the Judiciary.
The NCW and WCD Ministry has from years promoted and sensitized the false information of wives or daughter-in-law being harassed and tortured either by men or in-laws in order to extract huge funds from the UNICEF, USAID, UN and other funding agencies. The accountability and credibility of this information is never questioned whether the funds are really used for the purpose that should be served. The money is spent in false propaganda of woman being harassed for dowry or violence through the print and electronic media which has a great false impact on the mindsets of people in general.
For how long will serial writers keep painting mothers-in-law as manipulative, bossy, greedy and territorial? It’s time to get realistic!
Two women at the mall — one says: “My mother-in-law is an angel.” The other says: “You’re lucky. Mine is still alive.”
The “Monster-in-law” and “suffering daughter-in-law” tales were probably true once, but isn’t it time TV serial writers buried them for good?
One suspects the prickly mother-in-law-daughter-in-law relationship has been carefully nourished by script-writers. Think of it; stereotyping sells — the mother-in-law is manipulative, bossy, greedy and territorial; every word she utters is a poisoned barb; the mere shadow of the daughter-in-law brings out the devil in her; the helpless daughter-in-law, the martyr, puts up with the 24 X 7 abuse. Phew!
The World Anti-Terrorism Day is observed all over the world on the 21st of May. Coincidentally, on the 20th of May 2005 Honorable Supreme Court of India termed misuse of Section as 498A as “Legal Terrorism” in its landmark judgment by Justice Arijit Pasayath.
Hence, in the same context, in India a day should be dedicated as “The Anti Legal- Terrorism Day”. It is the need of the present day as many unconstitutional, gender-biased, one-sided “wife-centric and “Draconian Laws’ such as Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, Domestic Violence Act, the many Maintenance laws, Child-Custody and Divorce Law are being randomly “Misused” by “Wives” and “Daughters –in –law” only with the sole intention of harassing the husband and in-laws and extorting a huge amount either as “Alimony or Maintenance” by manipulation of facts and false allegations on the whole family.
Tags: divorce law, domestic violence act, draconian laws, false allegations, fighting terrorism, indian penal code, landmark judgment, legal terrorism, sole intention, supreme court of india
The world is celebrating “The International Mother’s Day” on the 9th of May. But the members of “All India Mother’s-in-law Protection Forum” (AIMPF) in India will observe this day as a “Mourning Day” to protest against the Indian Government. The NCW and the WCD Ministry are lethargic and inefficient to give protection to the old and victimized mothers of the Indian husbands from their disgruntled, vicious and revengeful daughters-in-law. On Sunday, the 9th May, the members will be meeting in Cubbon Park in the city of Bangalore to observe this day.
Tags: bangalore, daughters in law, india, indian government, law protection, members, mother day, mother s day, mothers day, ncw
| Section 498A is so frequently abused, it should be made bailable |
| Odeal D’Souza |
| On the occasion of the 100th International Women’s Day on Monday, a group of women refrained from celebrations. What inspired the protest of the All -India Mother-in-Law Protection Forum? Odeal D’Souza spoke with Nena Dhulia, president of the forum, which also opposes the proposal for 33% reservation of seats in Parliament for women.
Why are you opposing women’s reservation bill? |
Tags: better education, bill becomes a law, indian penal code, legal changes, male politicians, mothers in law, political careers, political representation, representing women, reservation bill