Men’s Rights in India — Finally Getting a Commission or Just Another Initiative?

About Men’s Rights in India — Finally Getting a Commission or Just Another Initiative?

In December 2025, Parliament introduced the National Commission for Men Bill. While it is not yet law, it has renewed conversation about fairness, gender neutrality, and the legal challenges men face in India. The bill proposes establishing a National Commission for Men to examine issues men face in domestic, matrimonial, and legal matters — essentially a dedicated forum for men seeking fairness in the system.

It promises gender-neutral legal protections, mandatory preliminary investigations before arrest, penalties for false accusations, fast-track courts for matrimonial and false allegation cases, and mental health support for men navigating complex legal challenges. These measures aim to create a balanced framework where grievances are addressed fairly, without compromising protections for women.

Understanding the Numbers

While statistics can often feel abstract, they shed light on how laws affect men. According to NCRB 2020 data, over 111,000 cases were filed under Section 498A IPC for dowry harassment. However, not all complaints were found to have merit: about 5,520 cases were closed as false, and another 10,151 were closed due to mistakes of fact or law. In other words, roughly 14 percent of these cases did not proceed further because the investigations revealed insufficient evidence or technical issues.

Similarly, in cases of sexual assault under IPC Section 376, out of 28,046 registered complaints, 3,375 were closed as false and 5,015 did not proceed due to factual or legal reasons. Among the 9,713 cases that went to trial, 5,403 resulted in acquittal, reflecting a conviction rate of approximately 39 percent. These numbers illustrate that while the majority of allegations are legitimate, a notable proportion does not move forward, emphasizing the importance of careful investigation and procedural safeguards to prevent wrongful hardship 

Judicial Perspectives

The Supreme Court has recognized the need for procedural balance. In 2025, when petitioners sought to strike down laws like 498A and parts of the Domestic Violence Act for allegedly targeting men, the Court observed that such matters were primarily legislative concerns and directed them to raise it with Parliament: “Go raise this before Parliament.

At the High Court level, in Chandrama Vishvakarma v Union of India, the Allahabad High Court dismissed a PIL seeking male-specific protections, noting that petitions based solely on media reports lacked a “material basis.” In other words, the court emphasized the need for substantial evidence before demanding systemic changes.

Other High Courts have acknowledged that men can indeed be victims of domestic cruelty, highlighting gaps in existing protections which focus primarily on women. These judicial observations indicate that while protective laws are essential, they must also include procedural fairness for men.

Men in Matrimonial Limbo

Beyond statistics, men experience significant emotional and psychological stress due to matrimonial disputes, false allegations, and the social stigma associated with them. The current legal system can be challenging to navigate, and without proper safeguards, prolonged cases can take a serious toll on mental well-being. The proposed bill’s measures — such as fast-track courts, legal aid, mental health support, and penalties for false claims — aim to reduce this burden and create a more balanced system. 

Potential Impact of the Bill

If the National Commission for Men Bill becomes law, it could provide men with:

• Gender-neutral legal protection against domestic abuse
• Preliminary checks before arrest to prevent unwarranted detention.
• Compensation and penalties for proven false accusations
• Fast-track courts to reduce case pendency and stress
• Legal aid and mental health support

While it is not a cure-all, the bill offers a structured framework to acknowledge men’s grievances without compromising protections for women — a careful, necessary balance.

Balancing Rights with Precision

Most allegations are genuine and laws exist for good reason, yet some complaints do not proceed or end in acquittal. Men may experience hardship, women continue to face systemic inequities, and courts strive to ensure fairness. Lawmakers’ challenge is to create a neutral, fair, and timely system that protects all citizens without weakening essential protections.

Why This Matters

This discussion is about justice, equality, and procedural fairness. How courts, police, and society handle allegations impacts real lives, reputations, and families. The National Commission for Men could help ensure that procedural safeguards exist, and that both men and women have their rights protected.

At its core, this is about creating a legal system where men can confidently say I have rights too, without undermining fairness or respect for others.