Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Law to protect women

The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act that came into force on Thursday is welcome. Although it is heartening to see women making stupendous progress in almost every sphere of activity, one cannot be oblivious to the fact that they continue to be victims of violence of different hues. Most cases have remained unreported for fear of reprisal and ostracism by the family.

Unlike the Supreme Court guidelines to protect women from sexual harassment at the workplace, which have remained only on paper, one hopes the law against domestic violence will be implemented in letter and in spirit.

M. Jeyaram,
Sholavandan, T.N.

Millions of our womenfolk will continue to suffer in silence thanks to their economic dependence. Only when drastic steps are taken to eradicate poverty can such Acts become meaningful.

Gender inequality is one of the primary causes of poverty and social exclusion. The UPA Government should lose no time in passing the Women's Reservation Bill and the Right to Education Bill.

M.J. Ruben,
Chennai

The Act will not deter the perpetrators of violence from abusing their women. On the other hand, it may become another instrument of oppression with husbands seeking divorce on grounds of harassment and other allegations. It may lead to more broken marriages.

C. Lakshmi Prasanna,
Hyderabad

The interference of a law in domestic relationships will harm the bonds within families. It is love and not law that should govern relationships and disputes. It would be ominous for the law to directly descend upon domestic life. It is an attempt to westernise our family system. A life regulated by fear of the law is hardly worth living.

R. Sahadevan,
Chennai

I just cannot understand how and why lawmakers assume that a woman always speaks the truth and men are always culprits. The law against domestic violence is highly prone to misuse like Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code.

The Supreme Court called the misuse of 498A "legal terrorism" (Sushil Kumar Sharma versus Union of India and others) and asked the government to plug the loopholes. The government has only passed another law that can be misused.

P. Ramesh,
Mumbai

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Staying the course in Kashmir
Tackling the polio crisis
"Creamy layer" rule does not apply to SCs and STs!
Partners in ending wildlife crime
A pact for peace in Sri Lanka
Corrections and Clarifications
Experts stunned by Atlantic current coming to a halt
Law to protect women
Creamy layer
The burqa row

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu