Saas vs Bahu: Unequal battle
Even if you cannot get along with your mom-in-law, walking out of the house is legally loaded against you
What if a wife moves out of her husband's home because her mother-in-law has made life unbearable for her?
A recent High Court judgement allowed the husband divorce on the grounds of 'desertion' by the wife. Telly saas-bahus are aghast at the development.
Sudha Shivpuri
The ruling is not only unfair but sounds rather odd. It seems to be giving the husband an excuse to file for divorce. Both the daughter-in-law and mother-in-law need to see each other's point of view and try to live cordially. Strangely though, even if a daughter tolerates orthodox parents, she does not tolerate orthodox in-laws.
Apara Mehta
The husband filing for divorce on the grounds of 'desertion' is unfair. The daughter-in-law needs to be given a benefit of doubt. Even today, no matter how independent the daughter-in-law is, she will try her best to save the marriage and not let go of it so easily. If she leaves the house, the in-laws need to come under the scanner.
Juhi Parmar
It is very important to know the reason why the daughter-in-law has stepped out of the house. Many times, the in-laws are at fault. If the court rules that walking out by the daughter-in-law under such circumstances gives the husband enough grounds to file for divorce, then I feel that there should be a law that delves into what drove the woman to leave the house. Often it does happen that the younger generation ignores the older, but a ruling like this should not be universally applied.
Lubna Salim
Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law often don't get along with each other. And it is not always the daughter-in-law's fault. So, if the man doesn't severe ties with his mother then why she he be allowed to divorce his wife? Moreover, one can't universally apply the ruling in each case. This ruling could create an unhealthy divide between women. Every case has to be studied individually and a judgment be given accordingly.
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