This refers to the shocking report ‘Lightly beating’ wife permissible, says CII’s proposed women’s protection bill” (PT –May 27). According to statistics compiled by the Aurat Foundation for 2009, most cases of domestic violence arise due to “domestic conflicts”, fights arising from petty issues in the household. According to Quran the relationship between the husband and wife should be based on mutual love and kindness. The notion that a man cares about his wife even after being violent is incongruent, and can be dismissed as lip-service. Almighty Allah says: “Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more strength than the other, and because they support them from their means. It is important that a wife recognises the authority of her husband in the house. He is the head of the household, and she is supposed to listen to him. But the husband should also use his authority with respect and kindness towards his wife. The theory that Islam justifies abuse is incorrect; Islam does not disempower women, as is popularly believed. Violence against women can’t be accepted, and it’s time for the nation to stand up to people who come up with such proposed laws.
Vinod C. Dixit
Ahmedabad