THINK BEFORE DIVORCE

DON'T HASTEN DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

THINK BEFORE DIVORCE, especially when the divorce graph in India is showing an upward trend. While women have been accorded the highest status in India, the reality is quiet different. The legal provisions related to matrimonial disputes “are perhaps the toughest for the courts to deal with”. The writer has rightly pointed out that the core concern of courts should be to save marriage and not hasten its dissolution.

Marriage is a sacred relationship meant for continuation of family lineage. Before the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, divorce was unthinkable in a Hindu family. But now people have understood its benefits. Divorce is permissible when both husband and wife can show that they cannot live together. However, divorce by mutual consent would be meaningless unless the court is completely satisfied.

In fact, young adults exercise both freedom and choice to enter, maintain and terminate wedlock. The factors that disrupt married life are jealousy, bigamy, vanity and revenge. In the event of a divorce, children are the ultimate sufferers, as they are deprived of love and care.

There is also a need to evolve a compassionate mechanism for redressing the grievance of runaway couples. The problem is due largely to love marriages. A boy and girl fall in love, get married and then divorce without any valid reason, because the law permits it. The couples should not forget that in good times, forgiveness, openness, acceptance, flexibility and kindness will enrich the relationship, and in bad times, they will keep the marriage strong.

Besides, marriage counselling can also help in checking the divorce rate. A week’s counselling is better than any other action. The couples going to marry should understand the importance of marriage and the consequences of divorce. Senior citizens and NGOs can also play an important role in saving the institution of marriage.