Woman organisations warn govt of resistance

Bid to water down 498 A IPC

Vijayawada: All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) State secretary D Ramadevi on Friday demanded effective enforcement of Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to protect women from dowry harassment and domestic violence.

Speaking at a press conference organised by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Women’s Organisations here, she expressed her strong opposition to any proposal to amend Section 498A of IPC on the pretext of preventing its misuse. She underlined the need to educate women on the laws meant to curb domestic violence and dowry harassment, so that they were able to better safeguard their interests.

Victims of dowry harassment or domestic violence should not hesitate to seek justice. The silence of victims would embolden perpetrators to subject them to further harassment, she said. She warned the government of stiff resistance from women's organisations if any attempts were made to dilute the section.

A special committee should be set up to oversee its effective enforcement for safeguarding the interests of women, she said. Progressive Organisation of Women (POW) State vice-president M Lakshmi, State executive committee member Ganga Bhavani, National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) State general secretary P Durga Bhavani, AIDWA city secretary K Sridevi and others were present. Women organisations came together to fight for women’s rights.