BENGALURU: The suicide of Bengaluru-based techie Atul Subhashs due to harassment from his wife and her family for money has sparked a nationwide debate. Atul’s 24-page death note and video message have gone viral, highlighting the plight of men who face harassment and false allegations.
He shared in the video that a debate has opened up on the misuse of the dowry laws and assault case. He had committed suicide by wearing a placard that read ‘Justice is Due’ around his neck. Following the case, now ‘#MenToo’ and ‘#JusticeIsDue’ hashtags have been trending on X.
Men’s rights activist Kumar V Jaggirdar says that men are also victims of harassment and false cases. He demanded that laws should be made to protect men’s rights too.
“An important fact that is being debated after Atul’s death is that men should get justice. Laws should be made for men too. It is not only men who make mistakes, and women should not misuse the laws. In addition, Atul’s death has mocked the entire system”, Jahgirdar added.
Further he added, “Women’s lives are as important as men’s lives. Whether male or female, everyone is the same in the eyes of the law. So, laws should be gender-neutral”.
Men’s rights activists are demanding that the government should take action against women who misuse laws to harass men. They are also demanding that the government should provide protection to men who face harassment and false cases.
In Atul’s case, about nine cases has been slapped on him. Of late, some women are misusing dowry, domestic violence, child custody and maintenance cases. Section 498A is being misused and has become a ‘tool for extorting money’, activists point out.
“If women misuse the laws, they should be fined or punished. Every day, 5-10 cases are filed against legal atrocities against women. This suicide case has now created a stir at the national level on men’s rights and the need for laws to protect men from harassment and false cases”, they pointed out.