In the year 2013, #WomenEmpowerment in India took yet another shape with the enactment of the "Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013". But, on the other hand, this is also a bitter truth that by the time of constituting the Criminal Law Amendment Act 2013, the determined standard of radical 'Right to Justice' of entire men section of India is rendered floating.
Then on, Indian men also strengthen their demand to constitute a National Commission for Men, to exercise the powers conferred on and to perform the functions assigned to it, under this act. But, surprisingly, this demand of men got opposed by several feminists groups and especially by NCW.
It's hard to understand why this much of opposition. Firstly, it's Men who are demanding their commission so why should women be perturbed? Might be because they fear that their so-called voice would be suppressed? Is demanding a Men's commission in a misandric society a crime, a funny crime? Is it really funny?
In 2015, the number of suicides reported in India was 133,623, of which 91,528 (68%) were by men, 42,088 were by women, according to data from National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
Of the 86,808 married persons who committed suicides in 2015, 64,534 (74%) were men, 26% were women. Feminist & politicians show just one crime against women and ran to draft abusive women protection law like #498a #DV #SHWP etc. etc., already a package of 49 laws. But the same nexus turns their face off when more than 64 thousand married men commit suicide. Extreme double standard.
Why is recognition of men’s problems being assumed as being ignorant of women’s problems?
So, let us first see the feminist’s logic behind the opposition:
Feminists say that “Male chauvinists are claiming commission”, so according to feminists’ logic, are men asking for rights to rape and go scot-free?
Feminists say that “Suicide is a mental issue, needs psychiatrist and medicine and not a commission”: This logic is more than superb. When married women suicide, it is termed as a dowry death and is a criminal offense and there is a specific law for that. But when married men commit suicide, it is a mental issue. Extreme below the level attitude. The result of mental cruelty created by women is that men are far more prone to heart attacks and stroke. Their life expectancy is some 5-6 years less than women, worldwide. Similarly, the social construct of manhood makes them NOT to complain about women, even if their women are causing them grievous hurt, resulting suicide.
Feminists say that “Men can’t be raped”, as if women can’t have sex against a man’s consent, or sexually assault one against his consent. When women from other countries can rape men, why can’t Indian women? Do the feminists consider Indian women as less than human?
And last, but not the least, feminists say that “Utter shame that men want something”. Why? Only women have rights to desire everything according to their convenience and men do not have human rights even?
Now let us see why Men need a Men’s Commission desperately:
First of all Article 14 of The Constitution of India speaks of the Equality before law. In the light of the Constitution of India, Article 14, both men and women shall not be differentially treated in the case of harassment too. But differential treatment has always given to male because post-independence sufficient safeguards, commissions, laws, guidelines have been enacted by the state only for the women, while all laws, rules, and regulations remain silent when it comes about the men.
No schemes are being furthered either by the Government or eminent social celebrities for boys the way they are happening for girls. This has led to more boys dropping out of school resulting in an increase of juvenile delinquency.
In last 70 years of independent India, not a single rupee has ever been allocated for men’s welfare from the Union Budget.
Negligence of health issues of men like prostate cancer, short life expectancy, high suicide rates, cardiac problems, diabetes etc.! Lack of government urge on the private sector to come up with health products specifically targeted to diseases affecting men in large numbers.
Men are not accepted by the society the way they are, just normal human beings. He is reduced to the role of a robot, the eternal protector, and provider with no desires of his own!
Men have their own issues and problems and there is no forum where they can express them. Why not have a Men's Welfare Ministry so that they can have a forum to address their issues?
Any crime that can be committed by men can be committed by women too; sometimes in a better way than men. Murders, rapes, molestation, harassment at workplace, economic offenses can be committed only by men and never by women? So what happens when these offenses are committed by women? Why different laws for men and women? Everyone should be treated equally in the eyes of law. So, why there is a lot of opposition when men demand the formation of National Commission for Men. Every woman has a father, brother or any other male relatives; if it’s about their rights, will feminists still say that it’s because we have a patriarchal society, the laws must be biased? People are opposing the commission for nothing; at least we haven't seen any genuine reason for opposition. We hope people know the meaning of chauvinist. Do people think this commission will allow rape? Or say rapists are good, please don't punish them? Or say that oppress women? This commission will only look into issues that men face and bring in plans for resolution. Why do people presume Men's Commission will be against women? Time has come for India too, to change for better, or as they say 'history repeats itself', India would soon go into oblivion, a nation victim of its own hypocrisy. The same nation once considered the center of wisdom, spirituality, and culture to envy upon. There should be no double standards. Gender-equality is all about equality and not demanding preferential treatment to one particular gender.
So, we therefore demand, either scrap WCD and NCW or form National Commission for Men on same merits.