On the occasion of the 100th International Women’s Day on Monday, a group of women refrained from celebrations.

COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

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? The problem is with the stubborn old alpha male politicians, not with the Constitution. The bill is likely to do no good to women who are powerless; even a reservation such as the one currently being debated will not assure them of political representation. Until there is greater recognition of their rights and better education of women, this kind of law will make no change.  The reservation of seats will enable women from more dominant sections of society to enter Parliament, and they are likely to represent their own groups, rather than women in general. If the bill becomes a law, it will sabotage the political careers of some able men, who are just as capable of representing women as women themselves. Also, the seats that are reserved are likely to change, so continuous political attachment to one constituency will be marred, whether the candidate is male or female. Tell us a little about the legal changes you would recommend so that the law is fair to mothers-in-law.Section 498 A of the Indian Penal Code, which defines matrimonial cruelty, is cognisable on the basis of a complaint made to a police officer. Offenders could be fined as well as imprisoned, and the offence is non-bailable. There are innumerable complaints that people have been falsely implicated under this section. We get about five cases of abuse of 498A each week. In my opinion, it should be made bailable. Domestic violence should be treated as a gender-neutral issue, which is what it is. A criminal or adulterous wife should not be granted huge maintenance or alimony. In this country, when we try to make the law women-centric, we end up making it only just wife-centric. What that sometimes means is that the rest of the family could be held to ransom.How do you deal with aggrieved mothers-in-law?We offer them whatever support we can, and we assist with legal support whenever necessary. In the end, these domestic battles are for them to handle. We can only offer support and tell them of the options available to them. Our forum was inaugurated on September 6, 2009. We have 50 members at present. So how did you observe International Women’s Day?We distributed pamphlets. We want the government to see that there are at least 12 laws protecting daughters-in-law, but not one for mothers-in-law.