Save Indian Family

Save Indian Family (SIF), also known as "Save Indian Family Foundation", is an Indian men's rights organisation founded in 2005, which works as an advocacy group against alleged misuses of domestic violence legislation in India, and provides support for men and their families who have suffered intimate partner violence or have been accused of domestic violence themselves. Its objectives and anti-feminism have been criticised by Indian feminist organisations and the media.cite news | last =Bhattacharya| first =Chandrima S.| title =What are men scared of?| publisher = The Telegraph, Calcutta | date = 2006-10-30| url =http://www.telegraphindia.com/1061030/asp/calcutta/story_6933770.asp| accessdate =2007-01-27]

History

SIF, founded in 2005, is an umbrella organisation of a number of men's and family rights organisations across Indian cities and provinces.cite news | last =Aron| first =Sunita | title = Now, an all male fightclub| publisher = Hindustan Times| date = 2007-01-13| url =http://147.208.132.202/news/181_1899255,0008.htm
accessdate = 2007-01-22 ] The organisations operate independently but work together under the banner of "Save Indian Family". SIF has become a public trust with under the name "Save Indian Family Foundation". [cite news | last =ANI | title = Wife harassing you? Call for help| publisher = IBN Live| date = 2006-11-29| url =http://www.ibnlive.com/news/a-helpline-for-harassed-hubbies/27345-3.html
accessdate = 2007-02-05 ] In March 2006, the NGO "Protect Indian Family" was founded in Bombay to better facilitate the work of the SIF. [cite news | last =Tanna |first=Ketan | title = Tortured husband's union: The people in this group had just two choices. Either become henpecked or handcuffed| publisher = Times of India| date = 2006-12-25| url =http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMDYvMTIvMjUjQXIwMTAwMA=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom
accessdate = 2007-02-05 ] SIF has free helpline telephone numbers for counselling men/husbands and their family members in distress in Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Nasik, Surat, Jaipur and Kolkata. [cite web | title = Save Indian Family| url =http://www.saveindianfamily.org/| accessdate = 2007-02-05] In 2007, the movement claimed 8,000 members.cite news | last =Karnad| first =Raghu| title =Now, Is That Malevolence? | publisher = Outlook magazine | date = 2007-12-03| url =http://www.savefamily.org/index.php?view=article&id=134%3Aoutlooks-features-story-on-save-indian-family-by-raghu-karnad&Itemid=50&option=com_content| accessdate =2007-12-12]

Stated Aims

On the organization's website, their stated aims include: working on "human rights for all" in relation to families; campaigning against "Human Rights abuse of elders, children, unborn children (fetuses), males and females;" examining and researching gender issues; publicising miscarriages of justice; working for legal reform; providing charitable support for the needy; conducting research and patenting its results; promoting "citizen journalism;" campaigning for "equal or equivalent laws" for all castes, creeds, religions and genders; and interacting with human rights organizations.cite web | title = Aims and Objects of Save Indian Family Foundation| url = http://www.saveindianfamily.org/pages/SIFF_aims_objects.pdf| format = pdf| accessdate = 2007-01-27 ]

SIF campaigns against domestic violence legislation (such as Section 498a of the Indian Penal Code, (1983) and the Protection of Women Against Domestic Violence Act 2005, believing that these laws have been over-used and manipulated by some Indian women. They claim that men are abused physically and are subject to unnecessary legal threats and imprisonment by their wives because of these laws. [cite news | last = Singh | first = Jangveer | title = Sour dates in India’s Silicon Valley| publisher = Tribune News Service | date =2006-11-26| url =http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20061126/main8.htm| accessdate = 2007-01-27] They point to the higher rate of male suicides in India, and claim this is largely due to domestic cruelty against men.SIF members have sought to have the laws made gender neutral or to be amended to include protection of men against abuse by women.cite news | last =Sandhu |first =Veena | title = Men new "victims" of domestic violence| publisher = Hindustan Times | date = 2006-11-07| url =http://www.saveindianfamily.org/images/dvlaw/SIF_Against_DVLaw.jpg
accessdate = 2007-01-27 ]

Criticism of SIF

SIF faces virulent criticism by some Indian and international feminist organisations and a part of the media with allegation of being "anti-feminist". Use of strong language against certain woman's organizations, groups and certain woman activists in their campaigns for being extremely feminist is often condemned. cite news | last =Gupta| first =Monobina| title =Malevolence for women’s law - Men go to PM against female ‘terrorist activity’ | publisher = The Telegraph, Calcutta | date = 2006-10-27| url =http://www.telegraphindia.com/1061027/asp/frontpage/story_6923154.asp | accessdate =2007-01-27] Some critics allege that SIF is insensitive about issues like high rates of physical abuse committed against women in India, including approximate 7000 deaths of women every year, allegedly due to dowry demands,cite news | last =Ash| first =Lucy| title =India's dowry deaths | publisher = BBC News | date = 2003-07-16| url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/crossing_continents/3071963.stm | accessdate =2007-01-27] . There are also allegations about SIF denying the need for domestic legislation to protect them.. . However, SIF's view on this respect is that these legislations should be "gender-neutral" which is actually more inclusive.

See also

*Dowry law in India
*Indian Penal Code
*Domestic violence
*Dowry
*Masculism

References

Further reading

* [http://www.washtimes.com/world/20061113-120817-8603r.htm Article by Washington Times: interviews of SIF members and Indian feminist/communist leader Brinda Karat]
* [http://www.ibnlive.com/news/wipro-man-says-he-was-whipped-by-wife/27029-7.html An article about SIF, Asha Kiran and an abused Husband]
* [http://www.southasianmedia.net/cnn.cfm?id=335217&category=civil%20society&Country=INDIA SIF's protests against domestic violence law] .
* [http://www.epw.org.in/showArticles.php?root=2005&leaf=11&filename=9338&filetype=html Feminist perspective on SIF Concerns]
* [http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMDcvMDkvMTkjQXIwMDEwNA=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom Men are being Harassed , says women panel : Times of India front Page News]

External links

* [http://mynation.net Save Indian Society website]