Man Serves Tea in Handcuffs to Protest Wife's Dowry Allegations

The unique protest by 30-year-old Krishnakumar Dhakad (popularly known as KK) has sparked nationwide attention, with #Justice4KK trending across social media platforms. KK Dhakad, a native of Neemuch, once dreamt of cracking the UPSC examinations. But life took a dramatic turn when his marriage, business, and ambitions were derailed by what he alleges to be false charges of dowry harassment and domestic violence.

Instead of succumbing to despair, KK chose an unusual path. Where he set up a tea stall in Anta, Rajasthan, the hometown of his estranged wife. But this isn’t an ordinary tea stall. He named it as "Section 498A Tea Café," after the IPC section dealing with cruelty against women by husbands or in-laws. KK’s stall is a visual protest site. It’s adorned with banners with slogans like “The tea will keep boiling until justice is served” and “Let’s talk over tea, how much more for Section 125?” He serves tea while wearing handcuffs, symbolizing the emotional and legal shackles he claims to be bound by. A groom’s turban and garland also decorate the stall, marking the day he believes his troubles began.

As Dhakad married Meenakshi Malav in 2018. Together, they started a beekeeping business, empowering local women and gaining recognition. Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan even inaugurated their honey enterprise in 2021 as a symbol of women's empowerment. However, in 2022, Krishna's wife allegedly left their home without warning and returned to her parents' house. Months later, she filed cases against Krishna under Section 498A (i.e. dowry harassment) and Section 125 (i,e. maintenance) of the IPC. Now, he has to travel regularly from Neemuch’s Athana i.e. nearly 220 km away to Anta for court hearings.