Controversy over govt’s stand on marital rape

NEW DELHI: Women and child development minister Maneka Gandhi said on Tuesday the Centre was considering criminalizing marital rape . When asked if there was an attempt to push for criminalization of marital rape, Maneka replied, “Now there is.”The minister was speaking to the media on the sidelines of an event to launch the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign in 61 additional districts. While the issue is under the law commission’s consideration as part of a review of the criminal justice system, Maneka’s statement indicated a strengthening resolve within the government to penalze rape within marriage.Maneka also expressed hope that a decision on the issue will come soon.The ministry of women and child development has revised its position on the controversial issue in recent months. On March 10, Maneka had said in the Rajya Sabha that marital rape was unsuited for legislation in the Indian context.“It is considered that the concept of marital rape, as understood internationally, cannot be suitably applied in the Indian context due to various factors e.g. level of education/illiteracy, poverty, religious beliefs, mindset of the society to treat the marriage as a sacrament,” she had said, drawing sharp criticism from women’s rights activists campaigning for the cause.Thereafter, the ministry redacted its response, communicating to the Rajya Sabha that it was an oversight. The ministry sent a fresh reply that was in line with the stand taken by the ministry of home affairs. The home ministry had, in reply to a query in the Lok Sabha on March 15, said that it had asked the law commission to “deliberate on the matter during the course of its comprehensive review of criminal justice system”.At a later instance, the minister was quoted as saying the ministry could consider taking steps to criminalise marital rape, provided there is ample proof that there is an adequate number of such complaints. While the altered stance was suggestive of an openness to considering the demand for criminalisation of marital rape, minister Maneka seemed to be more definitive in her stance on Tuesday.Criminalization of marital rape was one of the recommendations of the Verma committee which was set up to answer the demand for stronger legislation on crime against women following the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder in 2012. But the suggestion was neither accepted by a parliamentary panel to which the report was submitted, nor the then UPA government.