Mera Adhikar Rashtriya Dal (MARD) was founded in 2009 by a group of men concerned about legal concerns relating to the Dowry Prohibition Act and the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act.
Since its creation, the party has run in seven elections: the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Varanasi and Lucknow, a by-election in Bangarmau in 2020, and the Assembly elections in Bareilly, Lucknow North, Bakshi Ka Talab (Lucknow), and Chauri Chaura in 2022.
Despite these failures, MARD is preparing for the 2024 general elections, with candidates running for Lok Sabha seats in Lucknow, Gorakhpur, and Ranchi.
Kapil Mohan Choudhary, one of its founders and party presidents, is running for Lok Sabha in Lucknow. He has been fighting a dowry case since 1999, and it has yet to be decided after 25 years.
“I had two children from my first marriage, both of whom my ex-wife took away. Later, I was wrongfully charged in dowry and domestic violence cases. While contesting these cases in Lucknow, I met many people who were facing similar allegations and in similar situations,” says Kapil, who is 52.
