Registering your love: New rules, old taboos
Caught between progressive laws and deeply rooted traditional values, live-in relationships remain a controversial topic in India. Live-in relationships remain a cultural taboo in India, largely due to the strong influence of tradition and morality, especially in the way society views women. This often translates into practical difficulties for couples, such as being denied housing or restrictive measures to secure a place .And that is what happened in our ‘Devbhumi’, Uttrakhand. The Uttarakhand government has implemented the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Rules to regulate live-in relationships, requiring couples to register their relationships. This regulation applies to Uttarakhand residents, whether living in the state or elsewhere in India.
What does it include?
So, summarizing what it includes:
- Registration Mandate: The Uttarakhand UCC makes it compulsory to register all live-in relationships for Uttarakhand residents, including those living outside the state. Registration must occur within one month of entering the relationship.
- Purpose: According to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, a primary purpose of the law is to avoid domestic crimes outside of marriage. The code also aims to protect the rights of women and children born out of such relationships.
- Consequences of Non-Registration: Couples who fail to register their live-in relationship or provide false information may face penalties. These penalties can include a fine of up to ₹25,000, a jail term of up to three months, or both.
Exisiting Laws in India
Although India lacks specific laws directly addressing live-in partnerships, the legal authorities have taken steps to recognize and protect these relationships
- Domestic Violence Act: The Domestic Violence Act of 2005 in India acknowledges “relationships in the nature of marriage,” often referred to as live-in relationships, and extends protection to women experiencing domestic abuse within these relationships (read more).
- Supreme Court: The Supreme Court has affirmed that “two consenting adults of heterogenic sex” choosing to live together do not commit an offense. It has also granted rights to children born from such relationships, including inheritance rights.
- Supreme court has also laid down that women in live-in relationships can file a case for domestic violence if the relationship is determined to be just like marriage relationship.
Conclusion
Live-ins not only reflect a shift towards the stereotypes of being in a relationship but also individually as well- how they may prioritise their personal growth and happiness, potentially leading to clashes with older conservative generations. Live-in relationships are viewed as sinful by society but they are not necessarily against the law.
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1 thought on “Registering your love: New rules, old taboos”
Bans never work fully if they aren’t uniform and impeach basic rights