Both men and women have an equal set of responsibilities and duties in nurturing society, and therefore, they complement each other. One could say that men and women are like two wheels — both required for the smooth functioning of society. But generally, it is believed that women belong to a weaker section requiring protection against wrongs committed against them. Women-centric laws have been framed with the primary motive of granting protection and security to all women.
When Women-Centric Laws Are Misused: A Call for Balance
This legal approach is certainly justified given the present scenario. However, as with all things, excess can become a problem requiring serious attention. The issue lies in the fact that nowadays, these women-centric laws are being used as unchecked, unregulated weapons in the hands of some women to harm men or to exact revenge. These laws are now diverging from their original intent. Rather than being used for protection, they are sometimes misused to target genuine, innocent men. In such cases, the purpose of the law is defeated, granting unfair advantage instead of justice.
My cousin came from Kerala to Mumbai to appear for a competitive exam — one that he regularly took, hoping it would open new avenues and uplift his family’s life. One day, he boarded a bus to his exam centre in Powai. The crowd was heavier than usual, with some passengers standing. He found a seat and opened his books to revise. A little while later, someone tapped his shoulder and began shouting. A lady standing next to him accused him of touching her inappropriately. The poor guy was stunned — he had been completely engrossed in his studies.
The lady claimed his elbow was touching her leg and that he was doing it deliberately. He protested, saying he didn’t even realize she was standing so close, let alone touch her intentionally. But that was it. The woman began crying and shouting, claiming she was being threatened. The crowd turned against him. No one asked for his version. They collectively abused him, thrashed him, and threw him off the bus.
He missed his exam. He had to be treated for injuries. He was humiliated and traumatised beyond words. His family was shaken. Even if he had filed a police complaint, what would he say? That he was innocent and she was lying? He had no details about the bus, no information on the people who attacked him. And would anyone believe him? He was shaken not just by the incident, but by the apathy of the people who witnessed it. Those who saw everything unfold still sided with the woman — without question. If even they wouldn’t believe him, how could he expect the police to?
Fearing further victimisation, he chose to remain silent.
A close friend was falsely accused of sexual harassment after he ignored the advances of a female colleague. He had asked her to stop her inappropriate behaviour — uninvited stares, comments — but she didn’t. Instead, she filed a false complaint with HR. My friend was fired. His reputation was destroyed. For five years, no company would hire him. He and his family — including his wife and children — suffered greatly.
Once a man is accused, everyone, sometimes even his own family, assumes he is guilty.
A woman filed a false domestic violence case against her husband. She even accused his parents of feeding her poisoned food. It was all part of her plan to force her husband into agreeing to a divorce. She succeeded in getting the divorce — but destroyed the reputation of her husband and his family in the process.
Some women falsely accuse men of rape, using their "victimhood" as a weapon. Often, the situation involved consensual sex between two adults, with or without a promise of marriage. Such cases should not be labelled as rape. Yet, when the woman later claims it as rape — whether out of spite, for attention, revenge, or financial gain — the consequences are devastating. These false allegations ruin lives. They blur the lines between real victims and those manipulating the system.
Men are seen as the stronger sex, while women are stereotyped as weak. So, the idea of a man being beaten by his wife seems unimaginable. But it happens — and often. Cases of wife-on-husband violence are underreported and under-recognised. Male victims, unlike female victims, often choose silence. They fear mockery, shame, and the loss of their identity as "real men." This mindset makes it hard for men to speak out or approach authorities, who often lack empathy and dismiss their concerns.
This silence is reinforced by the fear that their complaints will be disbelieved or even turned against them. It reveals an official mindset that views women-on-men domestic violence as insignificant. In one case, a girl who was engaged to a boy accused him of misconduct. It was an arranged match approved by both families — but not the girl. Her father filed a complaint against the boy and his family. The wedding was cancelled.
Two weeks later, the girl married her boyfriend — someone her family had earlier rejected due to religious differences. As for the accused boy? His life came to a standstill. His reputation and his family’s name were ruined. How unfair is it that society plays judge and jury by hearing only one side? How easily people jump to accuse a man without pausing to examine the full situation? How can a woman cry "harassment" and instantly receive support, while the man stands alone, fighting false allegations?
There is a complete lack of impartial hearing. These women-centric laws, when misapplied, leave men without protection or recourse. Yes — even today, many women genuinely suffer abuse and need protection. But it’s equally important to acknowledge that some women misuse these laws to harass innocent men. It is time to shift our perception.
Men too face abuse. Men too are harassed. And men too deserve protection. We need gender-neutral laws that support justice for both men and women. There should be penalties for women who misuse protective laws. Or perhaps a new legal framework that addresses abuse against men as seriously as that against women.
Men are not always wrong.
Hear the male voice.
