AURANGABAD: Attired as ascetics and with grim faces, dozens of men on Monday staged demonstrations at

Chowk to demand protection against the alleged "atrocities" inflicted on them by wives. Members of what has come to be called 'Patni-Pidit Purush Ashram' - a refuge for men harassed by wives -- demanded that government scrap the maintenance law that enables women to get an alimony from estranged husbands. They sought that family courts deal with matters faster, so verdicts are pronounced in a year's time.

Demonstrations were organised to mark

. Many observed the day as one when they attain 'sanyas' by abdicating worldly life, one participant explained.

The protesters submitted a memorandum to the divisional commissioner pointing out that Monday was world men's rights day, observed in 30 countries. The founder president of the organisation,

, said Women's Day was celebrated with much fanfare, but few even know about Men's Day, which is aimed at creating awareness about the rights of those suffering at the hands of wives. Most of the laws are in favour of women, and these are taken advantage of to harass men, the protesters claimed.

There should be a separate commissioner for men, protesters said, adding that men too need protection from domestic violence. Among other demands are the curtailment of discrimination against men, the settlement of cases in family courts in a year, installation of lie detectors in police stations and government jobs to those failing to pay alimony to divorced wives. Like Women's Day, Men's Day should be observed with special celebrations, the protesters said.