On International Men's Day, married men demand end of  torture from women, who misuse law to their advantage

In a role reversal of sorts, approximately 300 married men pleaded an end to torture by their wives on International Men's Day yesterday.

The harassed husbands carried banners against the misuse of dowry by their wives, as they participated in a rally organised by the Protect India Family Foundation, Indian Family Foundation and the Child's Right and Family Welfare, from Mulund to Azad Maidan.

Injustice

"We are professionals, who don't need dowry, but are still harassed," said Dipak Nachankar, who has not met his granddaughter for two years.

He added, "Our rights are violated by women, who take advantage of Section 498(a) of the IPC.

HAPLESS: The harassed husbands at a rally from Mulund to Azad Maidan yesterday.

Moreover, there are some who pay maintenance and are yet not allowed to see their children. What kind of justice is this?"

Surinder Kaur (60) weeps as she recounts meeting her grandson at the Bandra family court.

"Goldie (10) didn't look at me and refused my gifts. He called his father uncle" said Kaur, whose son separated from his wife in September.

The group submitted a memorandum to Mantralaya and the family court listing a series of points, including a demand to introduce a suo motu punishment in the IPC for the misuse of any law, irrespective of the gender.

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1.2 lakh

The number of harassed husbands who have committed suicide in the last four years across India

Rs 4,500 Cr

The amount lost every year due  to arrests in dowry harassment cases

Did you know?

Men pay 82 per cent of India's taxes

Section 489(a)

According to Section 498(a) of the Indian Penal Code, whoever, being the husband or the relative of the husband of a woman, subjects the woman to cruelty shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine.