Mohan’s musing: Why do we have such socially divisive, slicing and segmented sections in IPC?

Section: 354: assault or criminal force to WOMAN, with intent to outrage HER modesty

Section: 509: word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a WOMAN

Today especially in our urban society, the force and import of both these sections are equally applicable from either side of the gender table or who can deny it AND having this as a uni-directional infringement actually creates some misleading hierarchy of relative strength and weakness(sic)

In my corporate experience especially with the hospitality industry, I have heard and addressed complaint as much coming from the other side as it’s commonly projected and publicized from the other.

May be the sections need gender neutral correction in its enumeration. as “her or his- instead of her AND woman or man instead of woman.

This will give a level playing field in the society to protect and take to legal cognizance and recourse whenever such violation occurs.

“Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls” wrote Tagore ….well, here is an opportunity to take the cue and travel beyond such divisive definitions in the greater spirit of creating an inclusive society.