Justice for Men at the CAW Cell?

By S R Ranjan: What is so ‘sacrosanct’ of being a Man or a Woman than being just a human being? Neither all Men are ‘guilty’ nor all Women are ‘innocent’ and the vice versa. Justice can be best served only with equality for all, including equality before law and equal protection of the laws. Question is while we work towards the uplift of half- a-section of the society, should we forget the other half-a-section?

Human rights are gender-neutral and should be granted to every individual irrespective of the state of affairs and circumstantial eventuality. While we righteously create a one-sided ‘National Commission for Women’ and ‘CAW Cell’ for the protection and safeguard of Women against atrocities, can we equally ensure here justice for Men? Do we forget that a Man/Husband takes care or has a responsibility of an old mother who is Woman, a younger sister who is Woman, and a daughter who is to be Woman too?

Are Men the ‘new second-class’ citizen to be ‘tried’ and ‘tested’ in the stereotyped social ‘modern’ evolution and changing times for empowerment and equality driven by gender-specific and gender-centric perceptions, laws and legal systems.  Why Men are considered ‘guilty’ until proven ‘innocent’? Should all Men/Husbands go through ‘harassing’ and ‘humiliating’ legal gender-centric scrutiny process, namely ‘Counseling Session’ and ‘Mediation’, where he is mostly subject to allegations and complaints, which may be true or false, but all his defense for truth falls flat, unworthy and invalid to prove his innocence and being the righteous person. Should it not be a gender-neutral process and only the ‘guilty’ person, based on merits of the case and facts, is booked in accordance with the law of the land and a due process law?

Is justice served by mostly implicating the Men/Husbands by way of filling of FIR against him irrespective of him being ‘guilty’ or ‘innocent’ until he is absolved of the case or proven innocent by the court. Moreover, there is growing tendency of making settlements at CAW Cell through forceful or willing ‘monetary deals’ which may be ‘fairly’ or ‘unfairly’ done to avoid/escape long drawn legal harassment and burden through life? ‘Deal’ or ‘No Deal’, does it serve the purpose? 

Lack of gender-neutral laws is conspicuous by its absence and call for making the existing laws and legal process gender-neutral. In the absence of such a scenario, there is growing friction in the society and increase in breaking points in the institution of marriage and family system. The need of the hour is making laws, legal systems and law enforcement agencies/bodies gender-neutral. In order to maintain a balance, similar legal protection like ‘National Commission for Men’ too be created. 

#SaveFamily

S.R.Ranjan

(Singh Rakesh Ranjan)

A Journalist

(Representational images, sources)