Domestic violence on rise

APROPOS of Reeta Sharma’s write-up "The sordid tale of domestic violence" (Stamped impressions, May 15), though there are a plethora of laws to protect the rights of women in India, an equal number of loopholes and varied interpretations of laws of different communities provide enough grounds for their rights to be abused.

For instance, there is no law on domestic violence, which is on the rise in the country. Wife beating is widespread in Indian society. There is no legislation against it and it falls under the general category of assault under Section 323 or 324 of the IPC. It is, therefore, essential to change the law and make wife-beating a criminal offence and a ground for immediate divorce.

Researches show that the persecution of wives is widely prevalent in urban areas because of the breaking up of the joint family set-up. In smaller families, the bride being an outsider is more conspicuous as she cannot get the support of other daughters-in law. No community is free from this persecution, although the practice is confined more to Hindus where the institution of marriage has been commercialised, rather than it being a relationship between two individuals. With marriage turning into a monetary transaction, the dowry deaths all over the country have been on the increase during the past few decades.

The rising domestic violence has led to an increase in the divorce rate. While for Hindu women in the country, there are 13 well-enumerated grounds for divorce (four of them exclusively for women), the Muslim women are not so fortunate. A triple pronouncement of the word "Talaq" is enough for men to divorce their wives. Though most Muslim countries have now banned this form of divorce, this practice continues in India.

The solution to the problem of domestic violence or other similar problems of women does not end by mere bestowal of judicial rights, or by making them literate. Most urban women today are literate, yet they exhibit a lack of moral strength.

One has to start at the beginning. Let the daughter be assertive and vocal. Let her handle her own problems. Over-protectiveness will only add to her burdens instead of reducing them. Every time she complains to you against maltreatment by in-laws, don’t shrug it off. Let her take some action. Teach her the meaning of education. Do not just make her literate and marry her off, but make her strong and independent.

K.M. VASHISHT
Mansa

II

Violence has become a major socio-cultural problem, resulting not only in physical torture but also psychological tensions and disorders. Apart from violence against woman, particularly by her in-laws, which is being tackled by the police administration and NGOs, there are other kinds of violence that have remained unattended to so far.

Under the influence of growing global materialism and a yearning for upward social mobility, man has ignored his social obligations to his family. A craze for material luxuries and social recognition has made him indifferent, rather hostile, to his responsibilities. Naturally, the inability to cope with the demands of one’s social liabilities causes apprehensions and tensions, resulting in physical violence or psychological disorders and sometimes both.

But the question is: should such violence, be it against a woman, a parent or a child, be treated as a law and order problem? Even if one overcomes one’s fear of shame in society, should the police deal with the delicate relations between a son and his father or a husband and a wife? I think we must promote social awareness and mutual cordiality within the family before law enters the four walls of a house. Family life cannot and should not be reduced to a legal contract. The West may have its own norms and compulsions, but we in India have well-defined, age-old traditions of mutual love and affection and a sense of understanding and tolerance. It is this mindset of our system that needs to be propagated in our domestic life.

VED GULIANI
Hisar

Generation gap

Apropos of Preeti Verma’s write-up "Generation gap: Agony of the day" (May 22), growing up is not easy, particularly when the high-spirited young reach their teens. Their minds expand rapidly and they become self-centred individuals. Such striking changes always raise serious problems for the parents and the teenagers alike. Youngsters feel quite capable of handling things by themselves and don’t relish undue criticism from their parents. The parents should not feel distressed about this change, as the teenager is only trying to move into the adult world all by himself.

If there is an atmosphere of love (but no undue pampering) at home, even the most difficult youngster will happily sail through the turbulent teens. Someone has beautifully said, "Happy parents create happy homes. Happy homes produce happy children. Happy children make a happy community. And happy communities make a happier world."

O.P. SHARMA
Faridabad

Dedicated educationist

This refers to the article "Devoted to cause of education" by Jaya Bhardwaj (May 15). In these modern times when the number of devoted and dedicated educationists is on a decline , it is a delight to still find an educationist of the standing of Gyan Prakash Chopra, former Principal of Hans Raj College, guiding the destiny of the DAV movement for education. In this age, when education stands completely commercialised and we find people who are not even remotely connected with education running public schools or other institutions with a view to get profits; it is heartening to note that we have got a person like G.P. Chopra, who has an impeccable educational career record. He is determined to modernise our education system while retaining the best elements of the great Indian parampara. With our governments both at the state level and at the Centre spending only 3 to 5 per cent of their budget on education, the role of private educational institutions like those being run by the DAV society assume a great significance. Their contribution in the field of education needs to be applauded. In present times, when the middle class is being taxed with demands of ‘donations’ and ever-increasing tuition fees; service-oriented organisations are our only hope.

ONKAR CHOPRA
Ludhiana

The Constitution as scapegoat

The article "The Consitution as scapegoat" (May 8) by late Prem Bhatia, appreciably evaluates the Indian Constitution as well as political and public behaviour towards it. But why should we blame or underestimate the Constitution? Though we have the lengthiest and most meaningful written Constitution in the world, we have no inclination to accept and utilise it in the desired spirit. Interpretations are often dubiously made and the more "shrewd and privileged" the interpreter is, the more advantage he takes. Unfortunately, the Articles and Rules are mostly exploited by the law- makers themselves. Howsoever good or timely the laws may be, our leaders are shrewd enough to find loopholes while interpreting them.

M.P.S. CHADHA
Chandigarh