Bhubaneswar: A proposal to establish a National Commission for Men has reached Parliament after Ashok Kumar Mittal introduced the National Commission for Men Bill in the Rajya Sabha. The proposal cites the recent Ketan Agarwal case as a reminder that men can also become victims of crime and may require dedicated institutional support.
According to the proposed legislation, the commission would serve as an institutional body to examine complaints, safeguard the rights and welfare of men, recommend policy reforms, and provide assistance in matters related to legal disputes, mental health, domestic abuse, discrimination, and social welfare.
The draft Bill also envisages the provision of legal aid, counselling, rehabilitation services, research initiatives, and public awareness programmes aimed at addressing issues affecting men while promoting healthy masculinity and emotional well-being.
Mittal stated that the alleged murder of Ketan Agarwal, a Pune-based realtor, highlighted the need for equal protection under the law irrespective of gender. He argued that every victim deserves justice and institutional support, adding that men can also face abuse, violence, and false accusations but currently do not have a dedicated national body comparable to existing institutions for women.
The proposal has sparked debate across the country. Supporters contend that a National Commission for Men could address longstanding concerns related to family disputes, child custody, mental health, workplace issues, and alleged misuse of certain laws, providing an official forum for grievances. Critics, however, argue that the proposal should undergo thorough parliamentary scrutiny to ensure it enhances access to justice without diluting existing legal protections for women or creating overlaps with current institutions.
As a Private Member’s Bill, the proposal must pass through multiple stages of the parliamentary process, including debate and examination, before it can become law. Historically, Private Member’s Bills are rarely enacted in India, meaning the Bill faces a long legislative journey before any final decision is taken.
-OdishaAge
