Calcutta High Court Observes No Interference If An Adult Woman Gets Married And Changes Her Religion By Choice
Never having imagined I’d say this, especially since women are often either left unheard or never taken seriously, Indian courts seem to have finally stepped up and started acknowledging women issues, giving out rulings that actually favour us. We say this after coming across several cases where the courts have accounted for women’s rights the same way they had been doing for the men, be it ensuring that women are not subjected to gender insensitivity or that they have a right to their deceased parent’s job. And with a new judgement in front of us, one that regards a woman’s own wish to get married as the only approval that matters, we have to say, we are impressed. The Calcutta HC ‘s observation is much appreciated.
This came to fore after a case was petitioned by the father of a 19-year-old Hindu woman, who was unhappy by his daughter’s decision to get married to a Muslim man and convert to Islam. Headed by justice Sanjib Banerjee, the case was filed as the father was putting pressure on his daughter, while she had made her stance very clear about not wanting to go back.
She recorded a statement in front of the magistrate and admitted, that she has married the man out of her own choice and free will and that doesn’t wish to go back to her parents. And the Calcutta HC rightfully supported the choice of an adult woman.
High Court of Calcutta observed that if adult woman marries as per her choice and decides to convert, there can be no interference https://t.co/4LmQPLgwlV
— Law Warriors (@WarriorsLaw) December 22, 2020
Also Read : Karnataka High Court Rules That Married Daughters Also Have The Right To A Deceased Parent’s Job
The Calcutta High Court reaffirmed that courts cannot interfere if an adult woman marries and converts to another religion out of her own free will. https://t.co/9Z2jesRoQJ
— B&B Legal (@bnb_legal) December 22, 2020
While the father still urged to the court that during the testimony, the daughter might not feel free to give her statement, the judge agreed and arranged for a meeting between the woman and the additional public prosecutor of the HC on December 23, to alleviate any pressure she may be under.
However, to her father’s shock, the woman said, “If an adult marries as per her choice and decides to convert and not return to her paternal house, there can be no interference in the matter.” And the court, wholeheartedly agreed. After all, the parents and society needs to realise that as kids turn adults, they are in full freedom to live the life, on their terms. This is especially important in the times of Love Jihad where there is an entire movement to discourage interfaith marriages.
Whether it is to live independently, fall in love with whoever they want, or marry out of caste or religion, as adult women, our choices need to be respected and Calcutta High Court’s ruling reinstated just that.
