Meira Kumar disfavours dilution of anti-dowry law

"Safety, dignity and equality of women are very important," Kumar said while interacting with women journalists here. Questioned on her views on the dilution of 498(A), the anti-dowry law, which some sections of civil society argue is too harsh, she said, "I am not in favour of dilution of any law which is for the safety of women."

Women's groups and the National Commission for Women have consistently opposed any amendment to soften the law under which a woman or her relative can file a complaint against her husband and his relatives for subjecting her to cruelty and the offence is non-bailable.

Kumar also asked political parties to resolve their differences over the women's reservation Bill. "I would want that all parties would arrive at a consensus. That is the reason why it is being stalled," she said during the interaction on the eve of the international women's day, which was attended among others by members of the Indian Women's Press Corps.