Indian women and live-in relationships: Social stigma, pervasive myths cloud legal status
7 years, 7 months ago

Indian women and live-in relationships: Social stigma, pervasive myths cloud legal status

Firstpost  

Contrary to popular belief, women in live-in relationships in India do enjoy legal rights akin to married women. The SC’s recognition of live-in relationships in 2015 ensures that women in such relationships enjoy the same parental custodial rights as women in a marriage.” There’s the Child Protection Act of 1960 too that ensures children born out of wedlock enjoy the same legal status as children resultant from a marriage. Since she’s not legally bound by marriage, the exception to the Section that disallows married women from filing a rape case does not apply to women in live-in relationships “A woman in a live-in relationship will have to prove that there was no consent, which is difficult to prove as it is. Amid prevailing condescension towards women in live-in relationships, it would do well if the likes of Justice Tatia don’t cloud the legal rights of women with their opinion.

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History of this topic

Will the surge in divorces and single living reshape Indian society?
2 weeks, 1 day ago

Will the surge in divorces and single living reshape Indian society?

India Today  

The way we look at relationships has evolved. Moreover, the new generation wants to break free from the shackles of the old mentality, where "what society will think" comes first, rather than an individual's personal well-being. "Many people, especially millennials and Gen Z, are delaying or even rejecting marriage in favour of personal growth, financial independence, and career ambitions." “I …

Fencing out interfaith relationships in the new India
1 month ago

Fencing out interfaith relationships in the new India

The Hindu  

On January 27, 2025, Uttarakhand became the first Indian State to implement the Uniform Civil Code, placing private relationships under state surveillance. Against this background, the UCC’s provisions on live-in relationships take state scrutiny to a new extreme — even informal relationships are subject to surveillance. The ability of such vigilantes to interfere in private relationships underscores how the UCC …

Indian women living abroad are revealing if it's difficult dating other nationalities: ‘Foreigners handle rejection…’
1 month, 1 week ago

Indian women living abroad are revealing if it's difficult dating other nationalities: ‘Foreigners handle rejection…’

Hindustan Times  

Indian women, in fact, women of any ethnicity, often have to keep several things in mind - including their safety, finding a misogynistic man or a narcissist whose only focus is themself - when they are single and ready to mingle. In a recent Reddit thread posted on r/AskIndianWomen, Indian women were asked about their lived dating experience and if …

Can 'Living Apart Together' marriages be a hit in India?
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Can 'Living Apart Together' marriages be a hit in India?

India Today  

We may not have the same addresses, but we are happily married – this is what the new preferred arrangement among modern couples looks like. Living Apart Together, a growing trend among committed and married couples in the West, refers to couples intentionally avoiding cohabitation in order to keep the spark alive. It may stem from the need to maintain …

Gadkari: Live-in relationships, same-sex marriages against social norms
3 months, 1 week ago

Gadkari: Live-in relationships, same-sex marriages against social norms

Deccan Chronicle  

Union minister Nitin Gadkari has expressed strong views against live-in relationships and same-sex marriages, stating that they are "against the rules of society" and could lead to the collapse of the social structure. "They told me that the biggest issue in European nations is that men and women are not getting married and are opting for live-in relationships," he said. …

Societal disapproval can't deprive interfaith partners of live-in rights: High Court
3 months, 1 week ago

Societal disapproval can't deprive interfaith partners of live-in rights: High Court

India Today  

The Bombay High Court has observed that a 19-year-old Hindu girl and a 20-year-old Muslim boy desired to have a live-in relationship and that they cannot be deprived of their rights granted under the Constitution merely because of societal disapproval. The court also said it was the girl's choice to have a live-in with her partner, and it cannot restrict …

The vulnerability of live-in couples
6 months, 2 weeks ago

The vulnerability of live-in couples

The Hindu  

In 2022, investigations began into the disappearance of a 26-year-old woman, Shraddha Walkar. In following judgments, the Supreme Court extended the same protection to live-in relationships, stating, “Live-in or marriage-like relationship is neither a crime nor a sin though socially unacceptable in this country”. In Chawali v. State of U.P., the Allahabad High Court, building on the conservatism towards marriage, …

Married Persons Entering In Live-In Relationships Bring Bad Name, Violate Parents' Right To Dignity: Punjab & Haryana High Court
8 months ago

Married Persons Entering In Live-In Relationships Bring Bad Name, Violate Parents' Right To Dignity: Punjab & Haryana High Court

Live Law  

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has refused to grant protection to the already married live-in couples apprehending threat from their family members, observing that married couples who run away from their parental homes to be in live-in relationships are bringing a "bad name" to their parents and also violate the right of the parents to live with dignity.Adding that …

When it is a Queer Feeling
9 months ago

When it is a Queer Feeling

New Indian Express  

This year, Thailand legalised same-sex marriage—the third Asian country after Taiwan and Nepal to allow it. The Gurugram couple got engaged last year but doesn’t want to go to countries like Thailand to tie the knot. As other Asian countries make strides in accepting queer love, Indian daters from the LGBTQAI+ community, share the ins and outs of queer dating …

Marriage, a chaotic construct!
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Marriage, a chaotic construct!

New Indian Express  

Critiques of marriage as an institution occur within a world in which the institution holds all kinds of power, which is why people who are critical of it may get married anyway. Pragmatically speaking, being legally married may be the best if not only way to ensure that one’s partner’s role in one’s life — or one’s role in their …

What is the legal position on live-in relationships? | Explained
10 months, 1 week ago

What is the legal position on live-in relationships? | Explained

The Hindu  

The story so far: The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court stated earlier this month that a Muslim cannot claim rights in a live-in relationship when he or she has a living spouse. Interestingly in the same month, the Punjab and Haryana High Court stated that a couple living together without obtaining a divorce from their previous spouse cannot …

Young Indian women have needs. Why is it a problem?
11 months, 1 week ago

Young Indian women have needs. Why is it a problem?

Deccan Chronicle  

Earlier this week, a matrimonial ad for a potential suitor by a 37-year old woman on X went viral with over 74K reposts. It’s time we recognise that having expectations is a mutual right in any relationship, serving as a cornerstone for a healthy and honest marriage,” says Trishna Shenai, partner and co-founder at Stillweave, adding, “Having expectations from a …

Women Entitled to Maintenance: Madhya Pradesh High Court Rules on Breakup After Live-in Relationship
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Women Entitled to Maintenance: Madhya Pradesh High Court Rules on Breakup After Live-in Relationship

News 18  

In a ruling recognising the rights of women in a live-in relationship, the Madhya Pradesh High Court said a woman living with a man for a considerable period is entitled to maintenance upon separation, even if they are not legally married. According to an NDTV report, the Madhya Pradesh HC delivered the judgement while hearing a case of a petitioner …

‘Policing love’: Why couples could now be thrown in jail just for living together in India
1 year ago

‘Policing love’: Why couples could now be thrown in jail just for living together in India

The Independent  

Latika and Ankit don’t want to get married. Here in the picturesque Himalayan foothills, where The Beatles came to seek spiritual enlightenment, the Uttarakhand state government has become the first in the country to draft and approve a controversial law governing many aspects of people’s private lives, including marriage, divorce, inheritance, property rights and – most controversially – so-called “live-in” …

How the state views interpersonal relationships
1 year, 1 month ago

How the state views interpersonal relationships

Hindustan Times  

Any intervention of the state in the personal domain needs to maintain a delicate balance between a person’s right to privacy and the state’s interest in maintaining a just social order. Most recently, while refusing to recognise the right to marriage as a fundamental right in October 2023, the Supreme Court in Supriyo v. Union of India noted that the …

Why is an Indian state punishing live-in relationships?
1 year, 1 month ago

Why is an Indian state punishing live-in relationships?

Al Jazeera  

Couples must register with the government, or risk going to jail. New Delhi, India – The northern Indian state of Uttarakhand on Wednesday passed a law that enforces a uniform set of rules for civil relationships — including marriage, divorce and inheritance — across all religions and makes the registration of live-in relationships mandatory. “While technically a uniform civil code …

Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code dares right to form ‘intimate associations’
1 year, 1 month ago

Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code dares right to form ‘intimate associations’

The Hindu  

The Uniform Civil Code passed in Uttarakhand on Wednesday, which requires consenting adults who intend to enter a live-in relationship to submit a “joint statement” to that effect before a “Registrar”, dares individuals’ freedom to form “intimate associations” without state monitoring or regulation. Chandrachud, in his minority opinion while heading a Constitution Bench in Supriyo versus Union of India, refers …

‘Live-in relationships are timepass, temporary and fragile’: Allahabad HC
1 year, 5 months ago

‘Live-in relationships are timepass, temporary and fragile’: Allahabad HC

Live Mint  

While rejecting the plea of an inter-faith live-in couple, the Allahabad High Court observed that live-in relationships are more of infatuation against the opposite sex which often result in timepass. "No doubt that Hon'ble the Apex Court in a number of cases, have validated the live-in relationship but in the span of two months in a tender age of 20-22 …

Marriage Equality: How Indian media has depicted same-sex marriages
1 year, 5 months ago

Marriage Equality: How Indian media has depicted same-sex marriages

Hindustan Times  

In 2012, a New Indian Express article announced, “In UP, Gay Couple Get Marriage 'Registered' in Court.” The couple in question had had their marriage registered under the Hindu Marriage Act. For instance, a Times of India article dated February 24, 1988, describes the police constables Urmila and Leela’s “sensational marriage” as a “protest against society’s treatment of lonely and …

‘Live-in relationship cannot provide stability, security’, says Allahabad HC
1 year, 6 months ago

‘Live-in relationship cannot provide stability, security’, says Allahabad HC

Live Mint  

The Allahabad High Court has stated that live-in relationships do not offer the same level of security, societal approval, advancement, and stability as traditional marriage does in this country. Then she somehow tries to get her live-in relationship with the male partner get converted into the relationship of marriage having social sanction," the court said. “Live-in relationship shall only be …

Live-in relationship cannot provide stability, security and social acceptance: Allahabad High Court
1 year, 6 months ago

Live-in relationship cannot provide stability, security and social acceptance: Allahabad High Court

India TV News  

Allahabad HC on live-in relationship: The Allahabad High Court has observed that live-in relationships cannot provide security, social acceptance, progress and stability that the institution of marriage provides to a person in this country and women especially face social ostracisation in case of a breakup. Then she somehow tries to get her live-in relationship with the male partner get converted …

How legal are live-in relationships in India? | In Focus podcast
1 year, 8 months ago

How legal are live-in relationships in India? | In Focus podcast

The Hindu  

While still frowned upon in most parts of the country, live-in relationships are becoming increasingly common. In a recent judgement, the Allahabad High Court refused to grant protection to an inter-faith couple in a live-in relationship and even stressed upon the need to create awareness about the emotional and societal pressures and legal hassles that may be created through such …

A female experience of the law as we know it
1 year, 8 months ago

A female experience of the law as we know it

Live Mint  

The title of this book by Aaliya Waziri, a writer and advocate working as a judicial law clerk at the Delhi high court, comes from an essay by Lucia Osborne-Crowley, a British-Australian writer whose fierce memoir of reclaiming her body after a violent rape is a seminal feminist text today. Her influence on Waziri is evident—her books, I Choose Elena …

Law does not recognise live-in relationship as marriage, says Kerala high court: Report
1 year, 9 months ago

Law does not recognise live-in relationship as marriage, says Kerala high court: Report

Hindustan Times  

Law does not recognise live-in relationships as marriage, the Kerala high court observed on Tuesday. The Kerala high court said live-in relationships might be recognised for other purposes, but not for divorce. The high court bench made the observations while hearing an appeal filed by a couple of different faiths who were in a live-in relationship and had challenged a …

Parents’ Stamp in Love Knots: Gujarat MLA's Demands Promote Misogyny, Social Rot
2 years ago

Parents’ Stamp in Love Knots: Gujarat MLA's Demands Promote Misogyny, Social Rot

The Quint  

According to the 2018 Lancet report, married women account for the highest proportion of suicide deaths among women in India because of reasons like an early arranged marriage, young motherhood, low social status, domestic violence, and economic dependence. Another NCRB 2018 data confirms that close to 20 dowry deaths, 35 cases of dowry, and 283 cases of cruelty towards the …

Relieve the unfair burden of staying single in India Inc
2 years ago

Relieve the unfair burden of staying single in India Inc

Live Mint  

Corporate India, by and large, has a rigid hierarchy in place where the decisions of a single working woman are often questioned more than those of her counterparts who are male and married, female and married, and also male and unmarried. An article in The Washington Post, titled ‘These single women say they face a workplace penalty, too’, details studies …

'Live-in Relationships Not Accepted in Indian Society, Difficult for Women to Live Alone After Breakup': HC
2 years, 1 month ago

'Live-in Relationships Not Accepted in Indian Society, Difficult for Women to Live Alone After Breakup': HC

News 18  

The Allahabad High Court, while dealing with a bail application in a false promise of marriage and rape case, recently observed that the case at hand was a disastrous consequence of live-in relationships. The woman, therefore, is left with no option but to lodge a First Information Report against her live-in partner, like in the present case.” The bail application …

1 in 2 Indians Prefer Living In Before They Get Married, Says Study
2 years, 1 month ago

1 in 2 Indians Prefer Living In Before They Get Married, Says Study

News 18  

We are built for heartbreak just as we are built for love. Ahead of its upcoming Valentine’s day release of Minus One: New Chapter, Lionsgate Play releases an independent research study in partnership with Ormax Media that deep dives into ‘Love, Relationships and Heartbreaks’. Gen Z and millennials today are not dependent on their partners for finance, social security and …

Defying Tradition: Indian Singles Choosing to Live Life on Their Own Terms
2 years, 2 months ago

Defying Tradition: Indian Singles Choosing to Live Life on Their Own Terms

News 18  

The women-first dating and social networking app Bumble released the results of a new study on how Indian daters would approach dating in 2023 with a new, open-minded perspective. Per Bumble’s nationwide study, 61 per cent* of single Indians who were surveyed believe they are more open to exploring ethical non-monogamy now than before. Open and honest communication with your …

Consciously single: Why more women are comfortable not being in a romantic relationship
2 years, 2 months ago

Consciously single: Why more women are comfortable not being in a romantic relationship

Live Mint  

While discussing the stigma of being single on Meghan Markle’s podcast, Archetypes, Mindy Kaling said: “When you’re a certain age and you’re a single woman, and if you go to a party, it bums people out.” An unexpected laugh leaped out, not at the absurdity but at the bluntness of the reality. In a society where marriage is imposed on …

First Bumble, now QuackQuack: Dating trends for 2023 show a mindset shift in relationships
2 years, 2 months ago

First Bumble, now QuackQuack: Dating trends for 2023 show a mindset shift in relationships

Live Mint  

In the urban dating landscape, there seems to be a rising consciousness about sex, intimacy, and capitalism. India’s homegrown dating app, QuackQuack, surveyed 15,000 users, between 25 and 35, from tier 1 and 2 cities to gain insight into the dating trends expected in 2023. It’s like as the ball drops on New Year’s Eve and the popular 2022 song, …

Shraddha Walkar case puts spotlight on violent relationships: Understanding why women don’t leave their abusive partners
2 years, 4 months ago

Shraddha Walkar case puts spotlight on violent relationships: Understanding why women don’t leave their abusive partners

Firstpost  

Shraddha Walkar was reportedly assaulted by her live-in partner Aftab Poonawala. The question everyone is asking today is, ‘Why did she not leave?’ Experts and women’s rights activists say that it’s easier said than done Shraddha Walkar died in the most brutal of ways — she was strangled and her body was then chopped into over 30 pieces — allegedly …

From Domestic Violence to Palimony, What the Law Says About Protection of Live-in Partners in India
2 years, 4 months ago

From Domestic Violence to Palimony, What the Law Says About Protection of Live-in Partners in India

News 18  

Police are deep into the investigation of the shocking murder case of Shraddha Walkar, who was allegedly killed by her live-in partner Aaftab Poonawalla. In this landmark decision, a bench led by Honble Justice K. S. Radhakrishnan framed guidelines to take along the live-in relationship within the expression relationship in the nature of marriage for the protection of women from …

It’s good that women can now marry at 21, but whose marriage is it anyway?
3 years, 3 months ago

It’s good that women can now marry at 21, but whose marriage is it anyway?

Firstpost  

The Cabinet’s move to approve the proposal to raise the legal age of women’s marriage from 18 to 21, bringing them at par with men, is a step in the right direction. A woman’s womb is a precariously ticking time bomb and from the time she is born she is labelled ‘paraya dhan,’ ; which is why in most communities …

Across India, high courts' approach to live-in relationships appears to be caught in contradictions
3 years, 5 months ago

Across India, high courts' approach to live-in relationships appears to be caught in contradictions

Firstpost  

The varying reasons accorded by high courts, apart from relying upon biases stemming out of the contemporary societal perceptions, additionally, often revolve around loose interpretations of the Constitution Live-in relationships have faced tumultuous judicial interpretations in the recent past. Recently, Rajasthan High Court granted police protection to a live-in couple on the grounds that, denying them the same would amount …

'Immoral, But not Illegal': Fate of Live-in Relationships in India Lies in the Hands of Judiciary; Here's How
3 years, 7 months ago

'Immoral, But not Illegal': Fate of Live-in Relationships in India Lies in the Hands of Judiciary; Here's How

News 18  

In yet another verdict pertaining to a live-in relationship, the Allahabad court ruled that such a relationship cannot thrive at the cost of the country’s social fabric and imposed a Rs 5,000 fine on a married woman, who is living with her partner and sought protection from her estranged husband. Here’s a look at a few The Allahabad High Court …

Social acceptance of live-in relations on rise, says Punjab & Haryana HC days after another bench terms it 'unacceptable'
3 years, 10 months ago

Social acceptance of live-in relations on rise, says Punjab & Haryana HC days after another bench terms it 'unacceptable'

Firstpost  

Justice Sudhir Mittal observed that an individual has the right to formalise the relationship with the partner through marriage or to adopt the non-formal approach of a live-in relationship Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High court has granted protection to a couple who are in a live-in relationship, observing that social acceptance of such relationships is increasing. The order by …

Married Women in India are Finding Love Outside Their Marriages. Is that Bad News?
4 years ago

Married Women in India are Finding Love Outside Their Marriages. Is that Bad News?

News 18  

Infidelity has always been a contested topic in India, both legally and morally. The survey, which appears to reflect the attitudes of urban, educated, and financially independent women in the age group of 30-60 across India, found that 48 percent of Indian women who had extramarital affairs were not just married but also had children. While studies have traditionally found …

Preserve Liberty of Live-in Couple Even if One of Them Isn't of Marriageable Age: Punjab & Haryana HC
4 years, 2 months ago

Preserve Liberty of Live-in Couple Even if One of Them Isn't of Marriageable Age: Punjab & Haryana HC

News 18  

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has said the life and liberty of live-in couple should be protected even if one of the partners has not attained the marriageable age. A single-Judge Bench of Justice Alka Sarin said the couple’s right to live together can’t be denied as long as they are within the boundaries of the law. The non-attainment …

Same-sex marriage demands gain steam in India
4 years, 5 months ago

Same-sex marriage demands gain steam in India

Deccan Chronicle  

The decriminalisation of Section 377 of the IPC in 2018 was a landmark judgment, favouring the Indian LGBTQI community, but it’s been two years since and the law still doesn’t permit same-sex couples to marry. Recently, Delhi High Court sought the response of the Centre and the Delhi Government after going through two separate pleas by two same-sex couples seeking …

Same-sex Marriage Not Part of Indian Culture? Queer Community Says it's Next Step for their Rights
4 years, 6 months ago

Same-sex Marriage Not Part of Indian Culture? Queer Community Says it's Next Step for their Rights

News 18  

Mumbai: On Monday, during a PIL hearing for legalizing gay marriages in India, the solicitor general, Tushar Mehta, argued that “our laws, our legal system, our society, and our values do not recognize marriage, which is a sacrament, between same-sex couples”. “Many members of the LGBTQA+ community want the same marriage rights that heterosexual couples enjoy and denying same-sex couples …

Breach Of Promise To Marry: Rape?
4 years, 9 months ago

Breach Of Promise To Marry: Rape?

Live Law  

Rape laws and the standard of consent followed therein concern significant issues of transnational importance that have only gained more currency in the post #Metoo era. Section 375 of the IPC defines rape as penetration by a man upon a woman under seven circumstances, one of which includes committing the act without her consent. The two relevant provisions for examining …

The many forms of violence
4 years, 10 months ago

The many forms of violence

Deccan Chronicle  

Since the nationwide lockdown was announced after the Covid-19 pandemic hit, reports appeared in the media about the increased incidence of domestic violence during lockdown. The violence can take many forms including physical aggression or assault, or threats there of sexual abuse; controlling or domineering, intimidation, stalking, passive/covert abuse, and economic deprivation. As a result of abuse, victims may experience …

Knot the ‘right’ Age: Stress to keep the power balance
5 years, 8 months ago

Knot the ‘right’ Age: Stress to keep the power balance

Deccan Chronicle  

Does age matter in relationships? As age trends of conjugal bliss undergo changes across the globe, studies bet on compatibility The age at marriage is decided keeping in view the ‘power’ relations between the genders and ensuring practice of the groom being older in age to the bride. With modernisation, young people belonging to upper class communities are experimenting and …

Non-marriage very rare in India but divorces doubled in past two decades: Report
5 years, 9 months ago

Non-marriage very rare in India but divorces doubled in past two decades: Report

Live Mint  

New Delhi: While non-marriage remains extremely rare in India, where less than 1% of all women aged 45-49 have never been married, the number of divorcees has doubled over the past two decades, revealed a report from United Nations released on Tuesday. The report said that as the women’s rights have advanced over the past decades, families around the world …

Incels and the Dark Side of Online Misogyny
6 years, 7 months ago

Incels and the Dark Side of Online Misogyny

The Quint  

If you didn’t catch all of that, here’s what the post says: “Most people here think that western countries have the most incels as percent of their population, but India will overtake the west. Arranged marriages are viewed as archaic by many middle class urban Indians. Feminism is all over India's urban middle class, although has yet to penetrate poorer …

Prolonged sexual relations as good as marriage? Supreme Court's patriarchal attitude invalidates concept of consent and matrimony
6 years, 8 months ago

Prolonged sexual relations as good as marriage? Supreme Court's patriarchal attitude invalidates concept of consent and matrimony

Firstpost  

The judiciary in India is grappling with newer concepts as the structure of traditional families is being deconstructed in the country. The court sought the views of the central government in determining whether a “prolonged sexual relationship” or a live-in relationship should be considered a de facto marriage to pin legal liabilities on the male partner. The question for the …

Kerala HC shows progressive bent in allowing live-in relationships but protectionist approach infantilises women
6 years, 9 months ago

Kerala HC shows progressive bent in allowing live-in relationships but protectionist approach infantilises women

Firstpost  

In May 2017, the Kerala High Court upheld the habeas corpus petition of KM Ashokan, and pronounced that his daughter, Hadiya was not capable of taking her own decisions around marriage and religious rights. The constitutional court is bound to respect the unfettered right of a major to have live-in relationship even though the same may not be palatable to …

India remains #MeToo resistant: Fewer men care about consent and safe sex, shows survey
7 years, 2 months ago

India remains #MeToo resistant: Fewer men care about consent and safe sex, shows survey

Firstpost  

As the #MeToo movement against sexual violence gains global momentum, in India—the world’s second-most populous country—positive attitudes about consent and safe sex among men declined by seven percentage points in the decade ending 2016, showed an IndiaSpend analysis of National Family Health Survey, 2015-16 and 2005-06 data. -Alison Saldanha As the #MeToo movement against sexual violence gains global momentum, in …

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