Even though India is known for its unique marriage traditions, the government took the first steps yesterday to make it easier for separated couples to get divorced. Since the rapid economic development of the country, divorce rates have risen due to massive city migrations and other social changes. This is why Ambika Soni, the minister of information and broadcasting, thought it was important to increase the acceptable reasons for getting a divorce to include “if any party does not come to court or willfully avoids court.” The reasons for granting a divorce currently are matrimonial fault, mutual consent, or a partner missing for several years.
The Supreme Court agreed that while the government should promote long-term, stable marriages, it should not withhold divorce from couples who have completely separated. An amendment proposed by Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, was passed yesterday that allowed “irretrievable breakdown of marriage” to be added as a legal justification for divorce.
The Men’s Divorce Law Firm appreciates that people in other countries are given more freedom to pursue the lifestyle they want without being condemned for deciding to separate from their spouse. Even though divorce will be granted more easily in India, it is reported that only 11 out of 1,000 marriages in India end in divorce. This is compared to 400 out of every 1,000 marriages in the U.S.
