In the Indian family set-up,mothers-in-law are the ones who usually have a shrewish image as the wellspring of all domestic conflict.
However, reality could often be different from popular perception as quite a few mothers-in-law claim that they are 'victims' of family rift and are 'harassed' by their daughters-in-law.
Highlighting their plight, a group of mothers-in-law under the banner of "All India Mother-In-Law Protection Forum" held a march on the eve of the International Women's Day here Sunday complaining that they were 'victimised' by their daughters-in-law.
They alleged that they were being mentally tortured by their 'bahus' (daughters-in-law) by filing false cases of dowry harassment and domestic violence.
"No law is fair to mothers-in-law. Laws are loaded towards daughters-in-law. Police and other law executioners never take us seriously when we go to them with our complaints regarding harassment by our daughters-in-law. Are not mothers-in-law women too?," Neera Dhulia, coordinator of the forum told PTI.
Many daughters-in-law treat their mothers-in-laws cruelly without considering their age or ailments they suffered from,she said.
Dhulia said that while the world was celebrating International Women's Day, mother-in-laws should also get justice from authorities. Her forum demands immediate protection by law to help harassed mothers-in-law in the event of false cases being foisted on them.