The Supreme Court has validated long live-in relationships as marriages. And the children born out of such ‘liaisons’ will no more be called ‘nullius filius’ or ‘by-blow’. They will enjoy the same status as that of any kid born after a marriage.
The society is changing, for the good of course! The recent verdict by the Supreme Court that long-term live-in relationships be acknowledged as legalised marriages is an apparent example of such social reform. The mankind that was always in absolute antagonism of a live-in relationship has finally green-lighted it, only if it has been bricked with firm underpinning.
A Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Arijit Pasayat declared that children born out of such a relationship will no more be called illegitimate. “Law inclines in the interest of legitimacy and thumbs down ‘whoreson’ or ‘fruit of adultery’,” it added.
In further statements, the court proclaimed that even though the assumption of marriage is rebuttable, heavy burden lies on the person who seeks to question the legality of a relationship to ascertain that no marriage transpired. The court cannot brush off the evidence introduced to weaken the presumption in such stance.
If we look back into history, we come across one such couple whose fate was re-established even after a judgment in Madhya Pradesh High Court. The year was 1985. The bench rebuilt a lower court’s order and acknowledged Loli as the wife of Radhika Singh. Loli lived for several years with him and brought forth five daughters and a son.
To catch hold of an expert’s opinion on such a grave and brave step, Merinews spoke to Leena, a lawyer, who felt it’s a commendable act, and “It’s a very good judgement. Such things should be given validity in our society. For me, it’s a very radical attitude and we all should respect it. Women should be given the liberty to choose their life partners and should not be forced into marriages if they are not ready.”
What does the general public opine on such an action by the government? We asked a few of them and could sense it’s a wise step since the majority was in favour, albeit some opposed it too.
“Long-term live-in relationships are de facto marriages. The SC has taken the right decision,” underlined Prashant Kapoor, a psychology student.
Whereas, SK Mittal, a navy officer, when asked, said with a frown, “This way, the new generation will be more spoiled. They will prefer live-in relationships to marriages arranged by their parents. And what’s the guarantee that the male in such relationship will turn out to be a loyal partner in the long run? What if he leaves the girl with kids and runs away without prior notice?” But his teenaged daughter, Gunjan Mittal, a struggling reporter, seemed holding different views, “I think this decision is for the betterment of the society. Poor kids will be able to live without their heads down in shame. I totally support this judgment.”
“If you love somebody dearly, are living with him/her for a long time, then you are already husband-wife,” stated John Manohar, a doctor at St Stephens Hospital. “And when the government stamps your relationship, nothing like that! A good move by the SC, indeed,” Manohar further added.
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