Seeking divorce now easier

Mangalore Today

New Delhi, Jun 10, 2010 (PTI): Seeking a divorce in case marriage goes bad will now become easier with the government today approving a bill that seeks to amend two Acts governing marriages.

The amendment makes it possible for anyone to seek divorce by proving that there has been "irretrievable breakdown of marriage" and escape the delays and "harassment" caused because of one party not turning up in courts.

The Marriage Laws (Amendment) Bill 2010 was approved by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The Bill provides for amendment of the Hindu Marriage Act 1955 and the Special Marriage Act 1954, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told reporters.


’Raw deal’
The latest proposed amendment, passed by a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, will include irretrievable breakdown of marriage as a legal justification for divorce for the first time.

"In today’s day and age it may be a welcome step but it will only really help urban women," Kamini Jaiswal, a Supreme Court advocate, told the Media.

"Rural women will still get a raw deal as they are more oppressed by their husbands.

"Divorce is definitely more socially acceptable in urban India," she said. "I have seen a rapid rise in divorces, but in order to obtain a divorce it can take anywhere from six months to 20 years."

Official figures on the divorce rate are unavailable but experts say that roughly 11 Indian marriages in every 1,000 end in divorce. The rate in the United States is about 400 in every 1,000.