In-laws in India

In-laws in India are at the mercy of modern daughters-in-law. These modern daughters-in-law, who are equipped with formidable weapons like dowry law IPC 498A and now DV Act, have become extremely powerful legally, but ironically, they are incessantly portrayed as ‘abla-naari’ (helpless women) by press media, NGOs, women groups, judiciary and the political parties. These laws were supposed to protect the victims of unlawful dowry demands, but now these laws have been misused by modern women to harass and blackmail in-laws.

The number of false cases filed by these modern women against their in-laws is staggering, compelling the Supreme Court of India to remark that such malpractice will unleash a whole new “Legal Terrorism” in the country. Legal terrorism!! How serious the situation has become that the Supreme Court coined “Legal Terrorism” for this malpractice? The nature of these laws and the way such cases are handled instills fear in many people living in India and abroad. A mere written complaint by a daughter-in-law is enough. The husband, brother, sister and his old parents along with close relatives can be easily arrested and put behind bars. Getting arrested is one of the most traumatic experiences in one’s life, and it becomes infinitely painful if the complainant is a wife/daughter-in-law. These cases are settled by giving away exorbitant amount of money to the wife/daughter-in-law. The money that was saved for the education of children and healthcare of their parents is now taken away by the wife/daughter-in-law by misusing the laws. The social stigma that follows the in-laws after being falsely accused by their daughter-in-law is something that cannot be explained in words.

What would be the mentality or character of that woman who files a false case on her husband/in-laws? The reason for filing a false case could be many but the way she exploits the laws to torture her husband and in-laws is worth understanding. What could have convinced her that misusing the laws to torture her husband and in-laws is socially acceptable and ethically correct? She does not fear being punished for filing a false complaint and torturing her husband legally. She does not fear anything. That is because the law is so pampering toward women that her complaint is considered genuine and the accused, whoever, is treated guilty until proven innocent. This pampering has become a source of confidence, inspiration and encouragement to women who believes that when the law blindly supports her, then why not she misuse it and get her husband and in-laws behind bars and then blackmail them for money? These laws have become a way to earn a large sum of money in a short span of time. Instead of protecting the victims of misuse of laws, Domestic violence law is introduced to encourage modern women to consider these laws as a money-making instrument. DV Act and 498A is the weapons used by modern women to become a legal extortionist.

Old parents, who usually wish to spend their time in contemplation of the Almighty, are brutally arrested on a false complaint. They have lived their life with dignity, have never harmed anybody and have also taught their children the greatness of truth and morality. They start their day early. They offer prayers to their deity at home, go to a temple and bring back ‘prasad’ and give it to their family members with their blessings. They will pray for the safety, welfare and success for their children. They also chant God’s name using rosary and listen to ‘bhajans’. They have some physical ailments from minor difficulties to a more life-threatening disease. They just wait for their family members to ask for help and they are right on their feet to give a helping hand from giving valuable life’s wisdom to cooking a snack, from cleaning the house to bringing groceries. Sometimes they just sit there in contemplation on God with little pearly tears in their eyes. They are the foundation, the pillars of Indian family, Indian society. Now, these god-fearing people are considered guilty until proven innocent on a false complaint of their money-minded daughter-in-law. These innocent people are arrested and put in the prison along with other criminals. What thoughts would be going on in the minds of these old parents at the time they are getting arrested on a false complaint of their daughter-in-law? It is indescribable.

Would you be able to describe it?

It is convincingly certain that as long as people ‘allow’ such malpractice to continue, the legal torture of these old parents will not end. Yesterday, it was ‘X’ old parents; today, it is ‘Y’ old parents and tomorrow, it could be “you” or “your” old parents. Do you feel safe?

6:47 AM - Saturday, December 16, 2006