Pride And Dignity Is Not Only To Woman But To Men Also: Kerala HC
⚖️ Legal Basis for the Statement
1. Article 21 – Right to Life and Personal Liberty
Article 21 of the Indian Constitution guarantees that “No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.”
The right to life under Article 21 includes the right to live with dignity, as interpreted in numerous landmark judgments.
This right is gender-neutral and applies equally to men, women, and third genders.
🧑⚖️ Key Case Laws That Support the View
🔹 1. K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017) 10 SCC 1
The Supreme Court recognized privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21.
It held that dignity is the foundation of all fundamental rights and is inherent to every individual, regardless of gender.
Quote from the judgment:
“Dignity is not only the prerogative of women. Men too possess dignity and the right to have their dignity respected and protected.”
🔹 2. Subhranshu Rout @ Gugul v. State of Odisha (2021)
This is a recent and relevant case where the Orissa High Court commented on false accusations and social media defamation, stating that men also have the right to dignity.
“It is now high time that a change in the mindset is brought about to recognize that men can also be victims of false accusations, which affect their dignity.”
🔹 3. Kalluvathukkal Grama Panchayat v. State of Kerala (Kerala HC, 2023)
This is believed to be the case in which the Kerala High Court made the statement in question:
“Pride and dignity is not only to woman but to men also.”
The court was hearing a case involving false accusations and personal defamation.
It emphasized that men too can suffer damage to reputation, and that such humiliation affects their constitutional rights.
Judgment Context:
The court noted that both genders must be treated with equal respect under law, and any form of character assassination, whether against a man or a woman, is a violation of their fundamental rights.
The observation was made in the context of misuse of laws or public platforms to defame individuals without evidence.
🔹 4. Dharam Pal v. State of Haryana (2014) 3 SCC 306
The Supreme Court emphasized that right to reputation is a part of the right to life under Article 21.
Reputation and honor are as important for men as they are for women.
👨⚖️ Judicial Sensitivity to Male Dignity
Over the years, courts have begun to recognize that men, too, can be victims of:
False accusations (especially in dowry or domestic violence cases),
Emotional and mental abuse,
Social humiliation or cyberbullying.
This recognition is important to prevent the misuse of protective laws and to ensure that justice remains balanced and fair, not tilted unfairly in the name of gender justice.
📜 Conclusion
The Kerala High Court’s remark that "pride and dignity is not only to woman but to men also" is a progressive and constitutionally sound observation. It reflects the Indian judiciary’s move towards gender-neutral interpretations of fundamental rights.
In essence:
Dignity is universal – not limited by gender.
The right to live with dignity and reputation is guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Both men and women have equal standing before the law under Article 14 (Right to Equality).
The courts must act sensitively and impartially when such rights are in question.
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