Live-in Relationship Vs Marriage

Are we finally seeing the rapid decline of the "old-fashioned" institution of marriage? In a significant ruling recently, the Supreme Court said a long-term live-in relationship was as good as marriage. Indeed, live-in relationships are slowly but surely acquiring a more important status, both socially and legally. What does that mean for a society where matrimony holds center stage? Sandhya Gokhale and Mihir Desai, who have been in a live-in relationship for 23 years, vouch that marriage has more complications than advantages.

They believe that love binds them more than family pressures would have. "Wedlock means subscribing to societal norms, where I will be recognised as someone's wife or daughterin- law," says Gokhale, a Mumbai-based software consultant. Her partner, Desai, strongly supports Gokhale's views. "If we decide to part ways, we can do it without getting involved in litigation or succumbing to family pressure," says Desai, a human rights lawyer.

But the fact is that with legal rights still a far cry for those in a live-in relationship, practicalities still do tilt the scales in favour of marriage. The Supreme Court's bold rulings on live-in relationships and pre- marital sex notwithstanding, the law is yet to recognise a live- in relationship as marriage.

"Though live-in relationships come under the ambit of the Domestic Violence Act and Right to Maintenance Act, there is still a long way to go," says Supreme Court advocate Priya Hingorani. Property rights, and adoption and child custody issues are yet to be addressed, she says.

Live-in relationships do bring with them a clutch of complications, no matter the freedom they offers. Questions arise over what happens to a child born in a live- in relationship? Would an ended relationship render a partner homeless? Says Meenakshi Lekhi, Supreme Court lawyer: "Putting live-in and wedlock at par dilutes the sanctity of marriage. There is no status called 'almost married'. There can't be any ad hocism in a contract like marriage."

There are other pertinent issues too. "A woman in a live- in relationship comes under the ambit of the Domestic Violence Act and right to maintenance as long as there isn't a second relationship involved. The question then would be: Who is in a relationship with whom? If a married man enters into a live- in relationship, only the legal wife is eligible for benefits, the second woman gets none. So between the two women, who supersedes who? That's the debate," says Lekhi.

Courtesy: Hindustan Times

Antara Mali breaks her silence on father’s illness

[Antara Mali's reaction to the incident, has shoched me. Instead of praising the efforts of Salman Khan and Mink Brar, let's observe what she says: "This may be a publicity stunt by someone trying to capitalise on his ill health and has accomplished nothing but damaged a 35-year-old glorious career".

THIS IS DIRECTED TO WHOM?

And then she says: "“We don't need anybody's help"............Really....??!!

What kind of WOMEN can say such things, is well understood!! Also it can be noted how much she actually loved her father. Actually in Bollywood many things are cosmetic and her love for her DADDY might qualify for the same. What to say about these daughters of illustrous fathers??!!]

Mumbai: Actress Antara, daughter of ace photographer Jagdish Mali, breaks her silence on her father’s illness. Jagdish, a renowned Bollywood photographer was apparently spotted in a semi-nude state by ‘Bigg Boss 6’ contestant Mink Brar, who eventually took Salman Khan’s help to escort him to his residence.

Reportedly, Salman Khan sent across a vehicle and his staff to help Mink escort Mali to his residence.

Mink called up Antara for help on finding her father in such a state on the street in Versova area in Mumbai. Since she couldn’t get through to her, she sought help from the star actor.

However, Antara issued a press statement to a tabloid, quashing the news that her father was an alcoholic and suffered from depression.

The press statement read, “His condition is such that at times, if he forgets his insulin shot, he gets disoriented. At such times opening a simple door latch can be a challenge. This may happen once in six months, the rest of the time he's fully functioning and normal. This is what happened that evening.”

“This may be a publicity stunt by someone trying to capitalise on his ill health and has accomplished nothing but damaged a 35-year-old glorious career. My dad is not an alcoholic but has a chronic liver disorder along with heavy diabetes. He hasn't touched a drop of alcohol for 15 years. He is sober,” said Mali in the statement.

“We don't need anybody's help. I am proud of my father's legacy, he is a truly an incredible artist and has a lot of goodwill in the film and fashion industry,” the Mali added in the statement.

Jagdish Mali had played a pivotal role in giving Rekha the ‘Diva’ status. He had also worked with other A-list Bollywood celebrities.

News Body, Courtesy: Zee News

False Rape Claims are Rampant in India

The governement should now treat these girls/women strictly like they are dealing with the rape accused

The Punjab police reported ten false cases of rape in just one week. Police say that criminal proceedings would be initiated against those who made false allegations. Since the nationwide protests against the Delhi rape case, complaints have been pouring in by the victims of sexual harassment — whether true or false.

The rush to report rape was attributed in part to the strict instructions issued to all districts police officials to take stern action and to be sensitive towards cases related to women and children.

Already, the state top cop Sumedh Singh Saini has shot off an advisory to all the field officers across the state to exercise restraint in sexual assault cases. The advisory read, “While it is imperative to ensure prompt registration of cases and expeditious and vigorous investigation in all cases of sexual assault and violence, at the same time, it is incumbent on the district police chiefs to ensure that innocent persons are not booked or harassed merely on the basis of false allegations and by misrepresentation and distortion of facts. The increase in number of false cases does not mean that we won’t look into these complaints. We cannot turn insensitive towards that. We will strictly follow the law and take appropriate action as per the rules. Those filing fake cases, and giving false information, stands to face action.”

And just today, a news story reports police saying that a case of alleged rape by a former husband of a divorcee was concocted. The woman had complained to police that she was raped by her husband, but police said that the woman not only changed her statements frequently but had registered six cases against her former husband at different police stations that were later proved to be false.

Source: SAVE (Stop Abusive and Violent Environments)

"That Boy was not  her Boy Friend": The father of the victim

[If he was not his boy friend, then what was he doing at 10 pm that night, in Delhi, when even dogs fear to go out due to such severe cold? The media first introduced her as a medical student, which later turned out to be BPT. At 23 years, people becomes B Tech Engineers but it is strange that she was still doing BPT. Till the other day, the media said, she was to get married in February, 2013, but now the fathers says, there is no question of marriage...Huh!! What nonsense..!! Also, what is the brave thing she did, except roaming with a boy, at such night? If she had a least badly injured one of the ruffians, I would have called her brave. But alas.......I am sick of media reporting, who changes landscape and story everyday!!]

London: The Delhi gang-rape victim's father has revealed the name of his brave daughter to give courage to other women who have survived such attacks.

According to UK's The Sunday People, the devastated father asserted that he wanted the world to know his brave daughter's name, who earlier was known to the world only as India's Daughter following her sickening gang rape and murder, as she didn't do anything wrong and died while protecting herself.

"We want the world to know her real name," he said.

"My daughter didn't do anything wrong, she died while protecting herself," he said.

"I am proud of her. Revealing her name will give courage to other women who have survived these attacks. They will find strength from my daughter," he added.

The distressed father also clarified that his daughter's friend, who was with her that night, was not her boyfriend but just a very brave friend who tried to save her.

"There was no question of her marrying because we belong to different castes," he said.

"She never expressed a desire to marry. She was concentrating on her studies and wanted a job first," he added.

ANI at its editorial discretion, has refrained from naming the victim for the time being.

Courtesy: ANI and Samachar.com

Delhi rape: Lawyers boycott rapists

[It is unfortunate that the lawyers in Delhi, have perhaps forgotten their professional ethics and is behaving in a shameless manner; when the case  of defending the poor slum-dwellers accused of rape and murder is concerned. Will the lawyers have done the same, if for example, a multi-millionaire is involved in a similar episide? I doubt!! However, this is not an isolated case in India, this kind of prejudice against the poor and vulnerable in the society is present all over the world. That is why it is said: A person who does not have "Capital" to appoint good lawyers is more prone to get Capital Punishment (Death Sentence). Shame upon these lawyers in Delhi....!! Also, where is the BJP, MP and a distinguised lawyer, Mr.Ram Jethmalani now, who gave long speeches, when he  took  up a similar case.......??!! I have placed the video, for you to judge, if  the lawyers are doing the correct thing. I feel that every person or any alleged criminal should be given a chance to represent  his case and every trial should be free and fair. This kind of professional mis-conduct by the lawyers of Delhi, is a blot to our democracy. Shame!! Shame!! Shame!!]

New Delhi: Lawyers at a Delhi court have said they will not defend the six people standing trial for the gang-rape and murder of a 23-year-old medical student whose case has shocked the country and provoked a national outcry for safety of women.

Hearings are expected to begin on Thursday at the Saket district courts, where the Delhi Police will formally present a 1,000-page chargesheet against five men facing the charges. The sixth, believed to be a juvenile, would be tried in a juveniles' court, but the police are conducting bone tests to determine his age.

"We have decided that no lawyer will stand up to defend them. It would be immoral to defend the case," said Sanjay Kumar, a lawyer and member of the Saket District Bar Council.

Kumar said the 2,500 advocates registered at the court have decided to "stay away" to ensure "speedy justice", meaning the government would have to appoint lawyers for the defendants. Another lawyer at the court confirmed the boycott.

The woman died on Saturday morning after a brave struggle of 13 days to survive injuries that doctor said were so grievous that her body couldn't endure.

She was gang-raped on a moving bus on December 16 and thrown out with her male friend, who was also battered. 

News Body, Courtesy: www.sify.com