Shreya Sharma, Symbiosis Law School, Hyderabad
ABSTRACT
It's true what they say: the only thing that never changes in this world is change. In the last few years, the Indian society has seen a significant shift in its way of life. Many foreign cultural ideas have been absorbed into India's traditional culture as modernity has progressed. One of these alien civilizations is the live-in relationship. People's attitudes are slowly but surely changing. However, this decision has received constant criticism and heated debate because such ideas lack legitimacy and social acceptability.
A household cohabitation between an adult couple who are not married is what is meant by live in relationship. Despite the fact that it appears to be a straightforward relationship with no commitments or legal concerns, it actually has a lot of challenges.The option to cohabitate without taking part in the institution of marriage is represented by live-in partnerships. Cohabitation outside of marriage is typically looked down upon in India since it is traditionally seen as a holy institution. But as the nation has modernised, attitudes towards partnerships have also altered, and many young couples now choose to live together rather than get married.
The number of live-in partnerships is rising in India's major cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru. In India's tiny villages, live-in relationships are quite uncommon. The vast majority of Indian families are quite conservative and frown upon cohabitating. Additionally, a live-in relationship has no legal consequences.Even now, decades after India gained its independence, the country's legal system habitually discriminates against people who choose to cohabitate rather than choose the socially accepted institution of marriage or the "taboo" practise of marriage.These live-in relationships have a somewhat shaky and murky legal status. Sometimes, a judge's decision to protect or penalise a couple that lives together hinges only on their own viewpoint when they are sitting on the bench.
There have been recent attempts to incorporate it in the scope of some legislation. It is no longer a felony in India, and the Apex Court has made various suggestions in a number of rulings involving support, property, and a child's legal standing. It is still a hot button issue in India. Ample consideration must be given to official documents, cultural issues, property rights, will and gift rights, anti-religion status, the LGBT community, and other grey areas. The following live-in relationship-related topics are clarified by the paper at hand:Living together allows people to choose their life partner freely and helps them get beyond cultural barriers. Additionally, it contends that each person's rights must be legally safeguarded and that the partnership must be recognised by the law.The relevance of a good relationship and its psychosocial implications are also discussed in the article, as well as the idea that children born from live-in relationships should receive the same recognition as children born to married parents.
Keywords: Live-in partnership, Cohabitation, Societal Acceptability, Marriage, Indian families, Taboo
Comments