Mumbai | 18 January 2026
The Mumbai Marathon 2026 was not just a celebration of endurance and fitness—it became a platform for conscience and conversation. Among the many participants, Vaastav Foundation made a strong and visible statement by walking for the establishment of a Men’s Commission in India and the urgent need for gender-neutral laws.
Through calm participation and clear messaging, Vaastav highlighted an uncomfortable but necessary reality: legal imbalance and misuse of laws are destroying lives, families, and mental health, and ignoring this does not make society more equal—it makes it unjust.
Women Standing with Men: A Meaningful Shift
One of the most heartening moments of the day was the presence of women openly supporting the demand for a Men’s Commission and fair laws.
Their participation reinforced a crucial point—this movement is not against women. It is against injustice, misuse, and silence. These women chose empathy over ideology and stood for a legal system that protects everyone without bias.
Real equality does not come from denial. It comes from honesty.
#Walk4Men — A Call That Continues
Vaastav Foundation urges citizens to continue this conversation beyond the marathon using the hashtag:
#Walk4Men
This represents:
- Gender-neutral justice
- Due process and presumption of innocence
- Mental health protection for men
- Accountability in law enforcement
- Support for families affected by false or exaggerated cases
This is about human dignity, not gender competition.
Voice from the Ground: Vaastav Speaker Amit Deshpande
During the marathon, Vaastav speaker Amit Deshpande addressed the realities faced by men trapped in prolonged legal battles and social stigma.
His message was clear: when laws are misused and accountability is absent, punishment begins long before any judgment is delivered.
National Commission Bill Introduced in Parliament (2025)
In 2025, a The National Commission for Men Bill 2025, was introduced in the Parliament of India, marking a significant shift in national dialogue. For the first time, lawmakers formally acknowledged that men and boys face systemic issues requiring institutional review and redressal.
The proposed commission seeks to:
- Study issues affecting men and boys
- Examine misuse of gender-specific laws
- Recommend balanced legal reforms
- Provide grievance redressal mechanisms
While still under deliberation, the bill reflects growing awareness that one-sided legal frameworks cannot sustain a fair democracy.
Atul Subhash Suicide Case (9 December 2024)
The suicide of Atul Subhash on 9 December 2024 became a grim reminder of the human cost of prolonged legal harassment and social isolation. His death resonated across the country, igniting discussions on men’s mental health, legal misuse, and the absence of support systems for male victims.
Cases like Atul’s are not isolated tragedies—they are warning signs of a system that often refuses to see men as vulnerable or deserving of protection.
The “Lucknow Thappad Girl” Case (30–31 July 2021)
The infamous “Lucknow Thappad Girl” incident, which occurred around 30–31 July 2021, involved a woman publicly assaulting a cab driver in Lucknow. The video went viral and triggered nationwide outrage—not only due to the violence, but because of the casual manner in which male victimhood was initially dismissed.
The public response on social media made one thing clear: violence cannot be justified or excused based on gender. The incident remains a reference point in discussions on double standards and accountability.
The Larger Reality: Men and Families Suffer Silently
Every year, thousands of men are mentally, emotionally, and financially tortured due to misuse of laws. What is often ignored is that their parents—especially elderly mothers and fathers—also suffer immensely.
Families are dragged into legal battles, reputations are destroyed, savings are wiped out, and mental health deteriorates. In many cases, even after acquittal, the damage is permanent.
Justice delayed, weaponized, or socially presumed is not justice—it is systemic cruelty.
Walking Forward with Reason and Resolve
Vaastav Foundation’s walk at the Mumbai Marathon 2026 was not an act of confrontation. It was an appeal for balance, reform, and humanity.
Acknowledging men’s issues does not weaken society—it strengthens it.
The demand for a Men’s Commission is no longer fringe or optional.
It is necessary.
It is overdue.
#Walk4Men
#MensCommission
#GenderNeutralLaws
#VaastavFoundation
A Note of Gratitude and a Quiet Prayer
The members of Vaastav Foundation express their heartfelt gratitude to every individual who walked with us, spoke with us, listened with an open mind, or simply acknowledged our presence today. Your support—whether visible or silent—gives strength to those who feel unheard.
We humbly request that this message of fairness, empathy, and balance be carried forward. Let it reach homes where sons suffer in silence, parents age under stress, and families wait for justice that seems endlessly delayed.
Our prayer is simple: may compassion guide law, may truth be heard without fear, and may every human being—man or woman—be treated with dignity. If this message reaches even one person who feels alone, the walk was worth it.
