BHUBANESWAR: If you thought only women are subjected to torture and harassment, some men would beg to differ. They feel men are now on the wrong side of the law.

The dowry laws are used against the men. What’s more, even women members of the family, against whom allegations are levelled, are not spared, members of the SIFF said here today.

“This forum is not against women. It’s to take up men’s rights because laws in India are loaded against men,” said Mithun Kumar, who is an active member of the forum in Bangalore.

The foundation dishes out facts to substantiate its take on men’s plight in India.

According to National Crime Records Bureau, 52,583 married men committed suicide in 2005. Similarly, in 2006 and 2007, the number swelled to 55,582 and 57,593.

During the same period, the number of married women committing suicide was 28,188, 29,869 and 30,064.

“Is the pain of a woman any less when she loses a son/brother than when she loses a daughter or sister?” questioned Debi Prasad Padhi, a member of SIFF.

In fact, the Foundation which has been campaigning against the laws felt that the anti-dowry provisions are such that police don’t bat an eyelid before arresting a person and his family basing on a complaint.

“Marriage is a relationship and the Indian police are not trained to handle the sensitive issue. They are not capable of proper psychological counselling which is an expert’s job,” Mithun said.

The SIFF which has launched helplines for Orissa has been lobbying for a National Commission for Men that can study issues related to them and provide recommendations. “Men pay 82 per cent of taxes in the country yet in the last 62 years, not a single rupee has been spent on studying men’s issues,” the members said.