{"id":3203,"date":"2024-05-15T18:12:56","date_gmt":"2024-05-15T12:42:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thecord.in\/?p=3203"},"modified":"2024-05-15T18:13:08","modified_gmt":"2024-05-15T12:43:08","slug":"mard-advocating-for-equity-beyond-gender-norms-in-indian-politics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thecord.in\/?p=3203","title":{"rendered":"MARD: Advocating for Equity Beyond Gender Norms in Indian Politics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In India, amidst ongoing conversations about women\u2019s rights, a distinctive political entity, Mera Adhikar Rashtriya Dal (MARD)<\/a>, has emerged advocating for men\u2019s rights. Founded in 2009 by individuals grappling with legal challenges related to laws such as the Dowry Prohibition Act and the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, MARD has faced electoral setbacks, failing to secure significant victories in past elections, often forfeiting deposits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite electoral hurdles, MARD is gearing up for the 2024 general elections with candidates announced in Lucknow, Gorakhpur, and Ranchi. Kapil Mohan Choudhary, a founding member and the party\u2019s president, is himself contesting from Lucknow, despite being embroiled in a dowry case since 1999, which remains unresolved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kapil\u2019s personal experiences, including a divorce and ongoing legal battles, inspired the formation of MARD. He remarried in 2011 and continues to advocate for men\u2019s rights through political channels. The party\u2019s slogan, \u2018Mard ko dard hota hai\u2019 (Men feel pain), encapsulates its core message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MARD\u2019s platform encompasses proposals for the establishment of a \u2018Ministry of Men\u2019s Welfare\u2019 and a \u2018National Commission for Men,\u2019 along with legislation like the \u2018Men\u2019s Safety Bill\u2019 aimed at safeguarding men from biases within existing laws. Other initiatives include the creation of a \u2018Men\u2019s Power Line\u2019 for family-related issues and a \u2018Family Welfare Committee\u2019 tasked with addressing matters like child custody post-divorce and advocating for an end to live-in relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite their focus on men\u2019s rights, Kapil emphasizes that MARD is inclusive of women members and aims to protect men\u2019s rights without undermining those of women. With their proposed policies and unique perspective, MARD emerges as a noteworthy albeit unconventional participant in India\u2019s political\u00a0arena.
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