#MeTooMaritalRape: The Movement India Desperately Needs

Sometimes, I am surprised by our position as women in society.

- DR. PYALI CHATTERJEE

Is it necessary to always have a man in our lives to protect us? And even if we do, is there any guarantee that he—whether a father, brother, friend, or husband—will always safeguard us with the utmost care? What if the protector turns into a monster? In such cases, should society remain silent, or should we hold the perpetrator accountable? No one has the right to harm or kill a woman—whether she is a daughter, sister, or wife.

A recent judgment by the Chhattisgarh High Court has reignited a critical debate: Does marriage grant a man the license to rape? However, this question has now evolved. The more pressing issue is—does marriage give a husband the right to engage in unnatural sex, even if it results in his wife’s death?

In recent years, crimes against women have escalated significantly. The number of reported cases has surged, yet justice often remains elusive. Recently, in an appeal case, the Chhattisgarh High Court ruled that “unnatural sex by a husband in marriage is not an offense.” The case involved a 40-year-old man convicted by a Sessions Court for the death of his wife in 2017. The victim suffered severe injuries and eventually died due to forced unnatural sex.

According to reports, on December 11, 2017, the husband engaged in non-consensual unnatural sex with his wife, causing her immense pain, and then left for work. Struggling with excruciating pain and discomfort, the wife sought help from her husband’s sister and another relative, who took her to the hospital. She succumbed to her injuries a few hours later. In her dying declaration to the magistrate and police, she stated that her husband had forced himself on her, leading to her deteriorating condition.