Increase in disputes among love-marriage couples calls for update in Hindu Marriage Act – Allahabad High Court

Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh) – The Allahabad High Court, while giving a decision in favour of the husband in a divorce case of a love marriage couple, stated, ‘The meaning of marriage has changed in modern times and so should the grounds for divorce. Although love marriages are “easily entered unions”, such relationships are “easily resulting in marital disputes”. Hence the Hindu Marriage should be changed.’ At present, according to the Hindu Marriage act, the couple have to cohabit for 6 months after filing for a divorce.

Due to the increasing trend of love marriages, it has now become imperative to change the Hindu Marriage Act ! – Allahabad High Court

According to the Dharmashastras, irrespective of the type of marriage, love or arranged, a person has to undergo his destiny. It is also… pic.twitter.com/OVKy7Ii0X8

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) March 3, 2024

The Court added that when the Hindu Marriage act was passed in 1955 the emotions and mutual respect in marital relationship were at a different level. The judges attributed this change to reasons like education, financial independence, breaking of caste barriers, modernisation, the effect of western culture. The society is becoming more and more open and individualistic in nature, and so needing less emotional support.

Editorial Perspective

According to the scriptures, whether a love marriage or an arranged marriage, the individual suffers or enjoys according to destiny. Still, in a love marriage, horoscope matching, understanding each other’s flaws and qualities, having a compromising attitude etc. should be considered.