BJP MP Ajay Pratap Singh, on Wednesday, urged the government in the Rajya Sabha to bring a law declaring live-in relationships illegal, as per media reports.
#WATCH | "All over the world, 35% of murders of women are happening because of live-in relationships. In 1978, the court said that in India, live-in relationship is unethical but not illegal, in a way court recognised it and this led to an increase in live-in relationships, court… pic.twitter.com/sLbe8BdtLy
— ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2023
The BJP MP reportedly cited WHO data saying 38 per cent of women around the world are killed by their intimate partners.
"Marriage and family ties are a cultural heritage in India. Our religious scriptures and customs do not grant recognition to live-ins", he said
Singh also said that the Supreme Court has recognised live-in relationships making these partnerships unethical but not illegal. Speaking during the Special mentions, the BJP MP said, “The court said that Indian society considers it unethical but it’s not illegal. I believe if this is unethical, then it should be illegal, too. The government should take cognizance of this and bring a law so that this subculture can be stopped and women can be protected.”
The MP also cited the recent infamous case of Saraswati Vaidya in Mumbai, allegedly killed by her live-in partner, to further his point.