International Men’s Day Celebrations: Over 100 Men’s Rights Activists Drive From Pune To Karjat To Champion Male Rights And Electoral Influence

On November 16, over 100 men from Maharashtra gathered near Pune to celebrate International Men’s Day with a 15-car convoy driving to Karjat. Organized by Men’s Rights Activists (MRAs), the event highlighted the contributions of men to the nation, society, and family while addressing the rising challenges they face. This year’s theme, declared by the Save Indian Family Foundation (SIFF), was “Positive Male Role Models.”

A Movement for Awareness and Reform
The event drew attention to the alarming increase in suicides among married men, which rose from 68,815 in 2019 to 83,713 in 2022—a surge of 14,898 cases in just three years. Family issues were identified as the leading cause of these deaths, followed by health concerns. 

SIFF Co-Founder Anil Murty stated, “This is a major wake-up call for Indian politicians. Large numbers of Indian men on social media are now getting influenced by the online bro culture, which influences them to follow #MarriageStrike to stop matrimonial false cases from women. About 1 crore young male votes will be at stake for Maharashtra politicians in 2024.”

Concerns Over Anti-Male Laws
Highlighting systemic issues, SIFF President Rajesh Vakharia noted, “The Congress Party passed many laws for the protection of women and excluded men from similar protections. The laws for prevention of domestic violence and sexual harassment at the workplace only protect women. No man can avail protections under these laws. In 2012, this party also attempted to give half of the property of a husband to his wife, irrespective of the duration of marriage.”  
He added that the growing #MarriageStrike movement reflects the discontent among young men regarding these inequities.

Similarly, SIFF National Coordinator Sameer Goel criticized the impact of the BNS69 law, which allows for a man to be imprisoned for ten years under a false rape allegation if he breaks up with a girlfriend who claims he promised to marry her. “This is sending panic waves among young men on social media,” Goel explained.

Celebrating Men’s Day: Activities and Highlights: 

Participants began their journey in Pune’s Wakad area, driving over 100 kilometers to Karjat. Along the way, they spread awareness about International Men’s Day through various activities, including:  

– Distributing Pamphlets:At key stops like Lonavala, activists handed out educational materials about men’s rights.  
– Gift Distribution: Boys and men in Khopoli received tokens of appreciation to celebrate the day.  
– Public Interviews: People at Karjat were engaged in discussions about the reforms needed to address male concerns in society and elections.  

Lessons from Global Politics
Reflecting on trends, SIFF Counselor Sagar Gunthal remarked, *“Currently, Indian politicians are adopting strategies where women are seen as a vote bank and men as a tax bank, leading to a culture of freebies in Indian states. However, lessons from the USA show that the #BroVote (Male Vote) opposed DEI, PRIDE, and the freebies culture, electing Mr. Trump as a positive male role model. Similarly, social media trends indicate that Indian male voters are also seeking male role models in the Maharashtra elections, which could significantly impact the upcoming election.”*

A Call for Change: 
The activists presented six key demands:  

1. End the “freebies culture” targeted at women.  
2. Address male suicides due to family reasons in political manifestos.  
3. Amend the Constitution to eliminate gender-based discrimination.  
4. Ensure courts treat both genders equally with empathy.  
5. Appoint visiting psychologists and psychiatrists in courts to support those in litigation.  
6. Establish a special commission to address the rising suicide rates in India.  

Broader National Efforts
The Pune event was part of a nationwide campaign to celebrate International Men’s Day. Cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Chennai hosted similar events aimed at promoting the significance of men in society. Despite being overlooked or mocked, Men’s Rights Activists continue to drive efforts to combat misandry and foster a fairer system for all genders.  

This Men’s Day convoy served as a reminder of the critical issues facing men and the growing movement advocating for their rights and well-being.