In recent years, there have been numerous cases highlighting misconduct within the government Institutions as in Pooja Khedkar IAS matter but misconduct is entirely absent in Family Institutions.
Recent matter of Pooja Khedkar IAS officer, who was transferred after demanding VIP treatment during her probation which underscores the fact that the government has mechanisms in place to address the misconduct among its officials. However, when it comes to family institutions, the concept of misconduct is entirely absent.
Government Accountability: The Case of IAS Puja Khedkar
The transfer of IAS Pooja Khedkar due to her unreasonable demands during probation is a clear example of how the government holds its officials accountable for misconduct. Misconduct in the government sector are established procedures to address and rectify such behavior. It ensures that in case of misconduct officials have to face consequences, to maintain standards of moral and ethical conduct.
Puja Khedkar IAS changed the number plate of Assistant Collector and forcefully acquired his cabin. According to news she submitted false document of her disability and OBC certificate to get reservation to secure her seat.
The Family Institution: A Different Standard
The family institution lacks a clear framework to address ‘misconduct’ or what could it be termed. When it comes to family dynamics, the law often remains silent, especially in cases where a woman harasses her husband, in-laws, or distant relatives. This silence creates disparity, as the same standards of accountability and consequences applied in government institutions do not apply within family Institutions.
The Double Standards in Marital Disputes
Considering a situation where a wife denies following family norms, is not adreessed. In the maintenance case, wife often makes exaggerated demands and the government, forces husband to pay the demands of wife, irrespective of their fairness. This one-sided approach leaves men and their families vulnerable to harassment without the acknowledgment of misconduct on the wife’s part.
However, men are held accountable for their misconduct with their wives, with various laws ensuring that men are penalized. Laws such as Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, which addresses cruelty by husbands or their relatives, and the Domestic Violence Act, aim to protect women from harassment and abuse. These laws are essential for safeguarding women’s rights, but they also highlight the imbalance in how misconduct is addressed within family institutions.
The government lacks focus on save Indian family from any form of harm caused by false accusations or misuse of these laws. The government punishes its employees for misconduct but such a provision is absent in family institutions and its punishment is limited to men.
The Consequences of an Imbalanced System
Due to double standard in addressing misconduct leads to significant consequences that husbands and their families suffers from undue stress and financial burden due to exaggerated maintenance demands and false cases. In some cases, in-laws or distant relatives are falsely implicated in a legal battle, dragging the entire family and often baseless allegations are breaking families.
Emotional and Psychological Impacts
The lack of clear definition of misconduct and accountability has eroded trust and harmony within families, leading to long-term emotional and psychological impacts.
In the system, it requires, both men and women to be held accountable for their actions within the family, which can help promote fairness and integrity. It will also protect individuals from unjust treatment and foster healthier, more respectful family dynamics.
