Several private member bills have recently been introduced in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, bringing important gender-related issues into focus. These bills address a range of topics, including the criminalization of marital rape, the provision of menstrual leave, and the establishment of a National Commission for Men.
One notable bill, introduced by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, seeks to amend the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Amendment) Bill 2024 to include marital rape as a punishable offense. Tharoor argues that the current legal framework, which excludes marital rape when the wife is not under 18 years of age, is rooted in outdated patriarchal views. He asserts that criminalizing marital rape would affirm consent as a fundamental human right, regardless of marital status. Tharoor has emphasized that marital rape is about violence, not marriage, and that the time for action has arrived.
Another significant issue addressed by private member bills is menstrual leave. Congress MP Kadiyam Kavya introduced the Menstrual Benefits Bill 2024, while LJP MP Shambhavi Choudhary proposed a bill for paid menstrual leave and improved access to menstrual hygiene facilities. These bills aim to provide working women and female students with necessary support during menstruation.
AAP's Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Kumar Mittal has introduced a bill calling for the creation of a 'National Commission for Men'. The proposed commission would safeguard the rights and welfare of men, ensuring a gender-balanced framework and justice for all genders without compromising the rights and protections guaranteed to women. The bill aims to address the alleged misuse of gender-biased laws. It proposes measures to prevent the misuse of Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, requiring a mandatory preliminary investigation within 30 days before arrests can be made. False complaints could lead to imprisonment and fines for the complainant. The bill also seeks gender-neutral domestic violence laws and workplace harassment safeguards, with penalties for false accusations. It allocates ₹3,650 crore for the period 2025-2030 to establish the Commission, provide legal aid, support mental health programmes, regulate media accountability, and strengthen domestic violence and child custody mechanisms.
These private member bills have sparked intense debate on gender justice and legal reforms. While private members' bills rarely become law, they serve as an important tool for highlighting critical issues and promoting discussion in Parliament. Historically, only 14 such bills have been enacted, with none passed by both Houses since 1970. However, they allow MPs to rise above party lines and advocate for their constituents, addressing issues that the government may overlook.
Other notable private member bills introduced during the Winter Session include the "Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025" by NCPSP MP Supriya Sule, which seeks to establish legal restrictions on phone calls and emails beyond work hours to promote work-life balance. Additionally, bills have been introduced to guarantee urban employment, reform anti-defection laws, and protect journalists from violence.
