Traditionally, the Indian systems give adequate importance to the well-being of the women in our society. The respect, given by our society to the women, even reflects in the Indian Constitution. This character of ours provides us indescribable pride and happiness. But, aren’t there some areas we purposefully or unknowingly deny that respect and equality provided to the women by our society and forefathers? Let us consider the issue of ‘Marital Rape’. In an affidavit submitted before the Delhi High Court bench which considers a petition seeking the criminalisation of the marital rape, the government has asserted that the cruel act of marital rape cannot be considered as a criminal offense.
As per the government’s opinion, the law, if implemented, will adversely affect the sacred social institution (the family) and will be used to harass the men leading the family. The government has cited various courts’ observation on the misuse of the Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with the harassment caused to a married woman by her husband and her husband’s relatives, to justify their argument or affidavit. It seems that in the coming days the nation will witness more aggressive and productive debates on this subject. The government’s opinion, it seems, indirectly indicates that the nation or those leading the nation are still under the clutches of the irrational notions created by the patriarchal, feudal, society.
Vignesh
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