New Delhi — In a parliamentary address captured on video and posted by Ashok Kumar Mittal, founder of Lovely Professional University, Rajya Sabha member M. V. Vijayalakshmi S. Rathore invoked the 2024 murder of Ketan Agarwal as a “reminder” of systemic gender bias against men and urged lawmakers to consider a private‑member’s bill that would create a National Commission for Men. The bill, introduced on Dec. 12 2025, seeks to set up a statutory body modeled on the existing National Commission for Women, with a mandate to monitor violations of men’s rights, collect data on male‑specific violence and health outcomes, and recommend policy reforms.
What happened
During the session, Rathore highlighted the Ketan Agarwal case — in which the victim’s father alleged that his pleas for justice were repeatedly diluted — as evidence of a broader pattern of institutional neglect of men’s grievances. She cited a 2023 Supreme Court observation that “men’s concerns are often sidelined in gender‑sensitive legislation.” The private‑member’s bill she introduced proposes:
* A commission to monitor discrimination against men in family law, workplace harassment, and access to social‑welfare schemes.
* A data‑collection mandate covering male‑specific violence, suicide rates, and health outcomes, with an annual report to Parliament.
* A grievance‑redressal mechanism for men who allege bias or abuse by state agencies.
If passed, the commission would be placed under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, with a chairperson appointed by the President and a board comprising civil‑society representatives, academics, and law‑enforcement officials.
Why it matters
The proposal marks the first formal attempt in Parliament to create a dedicated institutional voice for men’s issues at the national level. By mirroring the structure of the National Commission for Women, the bill seeks to institutionalize the monitoring of gender‑based disparities that, according to Rathore, have been overlooked. Proponents argue that existing bodies — notably the National Commission for Women and the National Human Rights Commission — do not adequately address male‑specific concerns such as discrimination in custody battles, workplace harassment, or the high rates of male suicide.
Background and context
The Ketan Agarwal murder case, which drew nationwide media attention in 2024, involved the killing of a young man whose father publicly complained that the investigative and judicial processes were repeatedly delayed and that his pleas for accountability were “diluted.” The case has since been cited by several lawmakers as emblematic of a perceived bias in the criminal‑justice system that favors women’s grievances over men’s. In 2023, the Supreme Court of India observed that gender‑sensitive legislation sometimes overlooks men’s concerns, a statement Rathore referenced to bolster her argument for a separate commission.
India already has a National Commission for Women, established in 1992, tasked with safeguarding women’s rights and advising the government on gender‑related policy. The proposed National Commission for Men would operate alongside this body, potentially expanding the gender‑equity architecture of the government.
Competing claims and uncertainty
The bill has elicited a spectrum of reactions. Women’s‑rights organisations warned that a separate commission could divert limited resources from existing gender‑equity mechanisms and risk framing men’s issues as oppositional to women’s rights. One group expressed concern that the creation of a men’s commission might “reinforce patriarchal narratives that pit genders against each other rather than fostering collaborative solutions.”
Legal scholars have highlighted potential overlaps with the mandates of the National Commission for Women and the National Human Rights Commission. A professor of constitutional law noted that the bill’s language is “broad” and could lead to jurisdictional ambiguities, especially in cases where discrimination intersects both gender categories. Critics also point out that the bill does not specify the commission’s funding model, staffing levels, or the criteria for appointing board members, leaving open questions about its operational effectiveness.
Supporters, including Rathore, counter that the commission would fill a “glaring gap” in the current institutional framework. They argue that men face distinct challenges — such as higher suicide rates, under‑reporting of male victims of domestic violence, and biases in family‑law courts — that merit dedicated monitoring and policy attention.
What to watch next
The Rajya Sabha has not yet scheduled a formal debate on the private‑member’s bill. Its progress will depend on whether the government allocates parliamentary time for discussion and whether the ruling coalition signals support. Key indicators to monitor include:
* Parliamentary scheduling: A date for debate or referral to a standing committee would signal serious consideration.
* Government response: Statements from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment or the Prime Minister’s Office could clarify the administration’s stance.
* Civil‑society lobbying: Organized campaigns by women’s‑rights groups or men’s‑rights organisations may influence parliamentary opinion.
* Budgetary allocations: Inclusion of funding for the commission in the Union Budget would be a concrete step toward implementation.
Conclusion
The introduction of a private‑member’s bill to create a National Commission for Men reflects a growing political narrative that positions men’s grievances as a distinct policy agenda, leveraging high‑profile cases like Ketan Agarwal’s to gain public traction. While the proposal aims to address perceived gaps in the protection of men’s rights, it also raises questions about duplication of mandates, resource allocation, and the broader impact on India’s gender‑equity framework. The bill’s fate will hinge on parliamentary deliberations, government endorsement, and the balance of civil‑society advocacy on both sides of the gender‑policy debate.
Sources
– Hindustan Times, “Citing Ketan Agarwal murder case, Rajya Sabha MP calls for National Commission for Men,” Dec. 2025, https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/citing-ketan-agarwal-murder-case-rajya-sabha-mp-calls-for-national-commission-for-men-101783147910915.html
Story synopsis gathered from: Hindustan Times – India News — source
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