Men in Kerala unite against harassing wives

November 7, 2007

Protection group alleges misuse of dowry act by women, demands a panel for men on lines of National Commission for Women

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Indian society does not seem to be patriarchal to some people at least. They think it's a hard world out there where men are hounded by their wives cashing in on the rigorous dowry laws of the country. A group of men have formed an association -- Kerala Men's Rights Protection Committee -- to voice their protest against a legal system "biased to the fair sex". There are over 100 members in the Kochi-based association.

"Men face a lot of harassment under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code. If a woman complaints of dowry harassment, the police arrest her husband and parents in-law without any investigation. The only thing that matters is the woman's statement. Most of the time, innocent in-laws and relatives are named as accused," said Sivan Cheppala, general secretary of the two-month-old registered association.

The controversial section of the IPC, inserted in 1983, reads: "Whoever, the husband or the relative of the husband of a woman, subjects such women to cruelty shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine." The offence is cognizant, non-compoundable and non-bailable.

"There should have a proper inquiry before someone is booked under Section 498A. We also need a non-judicial forum to discuss family issues and only those cases in which there is no other way but divorce should come under the purview of family courts. Around 900 cases have come before Ernakulam family court since January. There has been as many instances of invoking Section 498A," Sivan said.

The association also demands the setting up of men's commissions on the lines of the National Commission for Women and its state counterparts. "When women's organizations affiliated to political parties take up domestic issues, they act as a judicial body. But they are not concerned about any proof supporting the plaint. Women cells of the police are no better. There should be representation for men when marriage-related issues are considered," he added.

"If things go on like this, men will have to go back to the age of untouchability for fear of touching the women. We have to unite against this trend," he added. The association has members from all walks of life. There are youngsters and elders, bachelors and husbands as its members. They are on a membership campaign till December 30.

The peeved men have company elsewhere. 498A.org, a website which attempts to "create awareness among Indian nationals about the misuse of  IPC 498A.