Rape is considered a major crime in Indian constitution as well as in society too. After a single case a storm of views and statement comes from everywhere for victim and culprit as well. People constantly talk about case. But why not on marital rape. When a woman is forced by her husband for any physical pleasure or tries to make physical relation without her consent that it can be termed as a martial rape. Community usually remains silent on this, and even raises questions on women character that raise this issue.
There are dozens of victims around us suffering from the same case.
Weddings in India are considered a sacred ritual when two individuals become a single entity before society. The proceedings of weddings are not only special for two but the whole custom brings enjoyment and pleasure for two families. I think wedding is a celebration of fusion of two families.
This begins relationship of a couple together which is more subjected more towards physical relation with women’s choice or without her choice. in most relationships a women isn’t preferred to take decisions she just have to follow the orders or guidelines given to her by her husband or family. This is the supreme reason behind marital rape.
The Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Maneka Gandhi, has stated that marital rape “cannot be applied to the Indian context”. Another Member of Parliament from Gujarat, Haribhai Parthibhai Chaudhary, has said, “It is considered that the concept of marital rape, as understood internationally, cannot be suitably applied in the Indian context due to various factors, including level of education, illiteracy, poverty, myriad social customs and values, religious beliefs, mindset of the society to treat the marriage as a sacrament.”
Marital rape still isn’t considered rape in India. There was case in 2013 challenging union of India for same case. They pleaded to make changes in section 375 exception 2nd.which states that sexual intercourse by a man with his own wife, the wife not being under 15 years of age, is not rape.
They questioned that if the minimum age of marriage is 18 then why physical relation with under 18 is not considered as crime.
Approximations have quoted that every 6 hours; a young married woman is burnt or beaten to death, or driven to suicide from emotional abuse by her husband. The UN Population Fund states that more than 2/3rds of married women in India, aged between 15 to 49 have been beaten, raped or forced to provide sex. In 2005, 6787 cases were recorded of women murdered by their husbands or their husbands’ families. 56% of Indian women believed occasional wife-beating to be justified.
Scenario automatically carry inquisition before us. No doubt women have to speak for themselves. They are standing and reporting against all odds. The court acts to cases which go registered and comes before. But there are huge numbers of women who are going through this hardship often. Making excuses of tradition and culture won’t help those women. Although By making a proper set of laws will not only give them voice but will help them of stand of their own other right. Many countries had provided space for marital rape as a offence in their constitution. This empowers married women for their right and injustice. Government should now definitely look into this matter again.
AUTHOR’S BIO-
I am RUCHIKA DHRUWEY,I am a blogger and pursuing my graduation in journalism and mass communication from Guru Ghasidas central university, Bilaspur (C.G)