Ever since the Delhi High Court started hearing petitions seeking to criminalize marital rape In India, it has sparked public outrage.
While there are some who are moving mountains to strike down section 375 of the Indian Penal Code (protecting men who have forced non-consensual intercourse with their wives from criminal prosecution), others think that men will be wrongly prosecuted if women are given the power to put their rapists behind the bar.
Therefore, many online decided to go on a ‘marriage strike’ with the intention to force the court to not make marital rape an offense legally.
#MarriageStrike started trending online with people opposing the proposition. This is what those against the petition think:
Feminists insensitivity doesn’t see that laws are biased. #MarriageStrike is a natural reaction. Above all feminists were pushing misandry in the name of biased laws. #MarriageStrike is against bias not because of #maritalrape. pic.twitter.com/CGkdV2lOu8
— adot (@adot99160725) January 19, 2022
Go for an excursion to Indian family courts.
Unfavorable treatment.
Absurd orders.
Unfathomable Alimony and maintenance.
Alienation from his childrenAvoid all above….#MarriageStrike
— SIFF Human Rights Wing (@SIFF_HRW) January 19, 2022
Follow #MarriageStrike be happy in life . pic.twitter.com/5yQLEJsWtJ
— Gabbar 2.0 (@khabribanda) January 18, 2022
Indeed towards the injustice men going through from so long #MarriageStrike
— અંગારો 🔥 (@thakorv060) January 19, 2022
Indian Men should strike to legalize prostitution.its the only way forward #MarriageStrike
— ಕನ್ನಡದ ಕಂದ (@Alex61340085) January 19, 2022
With Marital rape laws, any woman having slight grudge will use these laws to threaten Husband and his family.
We all know how 498A and DV being misused with help of Police.
Where are the checks and balances to protect innocent persons.#विवाह_बहिष्कार #MarriageStrike— Rakesh (@Satyabhav) January 19, 2022
Dear Men,
If you don't have enough money to give as alimony after false matrimonial cases
What do you do ?
Go for #MarriageStrike
— Peaceful Warrior (@siff_warrior) January 18, 2022
Gender neutral rape laws were opposed by feminists saying that they'll be misused & when it comes to #MaritalRape they say that misuse of laws is not a ground for not having a (draconian) law.
Is the right to life, liberty & dignity only for women?
What about other genders? pic.twitter.com/oRGpg9I55M— Amit Lakhani (@TheAmitLakhani) January 19, 2022
There is already no sense of security in marriage FOR MEN.And now they talking about #Maritalrape.#MarriageStrike
— Hem Arya (@hem4arya) January 19, 2022
If s*x in marriage is a criminal act why marry at all??. For just emotional love and support women can stay with their parents or get love from their pet dog too. #MarriageStrike
— Divakar D (@Divakar14399568) January 19, 2022
There were also those who firmly believed that criminalizing marital rape would be a tombstone in the creation of a safer and secure society for women.
Recognising #MaritalRape as a crime will not destroy families. What is already destroying families is the assumption that marriage implies consent for the sexual act.
— Natasha (she/ her) نتاشا (@nuts2406) January 19, 2022
These men have such bloated misogyny hidden inside their insecure hearts. Who cares dude! Most Indian guys are disoriented and disillusioned, incapable of washing their own undergarment! No woman wants you. Go sulk in a corner and trend #MarriageStrike. May make you feel worthy.
— DS (@DS09111034) January 19, 2022
Men are on #MarriageStrike not knowing that women have been wishing for it for ages.
— Kanimozhi Sarah Jayaseelan (@JASUSARAH) January 19, 2022
Indian men doing marriage strike?? More girls will be safe!! pic.twitter.com/yMHCAWfCkx
— Bitch In My Next Life (@BloodyStree) January 19, 2022
They're doing a great service to humanity in general and women in particular. I fully support the cis-het Indian male #MarriageStrike movement!#MaritalRape https://t.co/lFvyVnO5VM
— Sheebani Sethi (@sheebanisethi) January 19, 2022
Stop #MarriageStrike ! Would you support the same if your daughter/sister was a victim of an abusive relationship wherein the “Alpha HE” was too obnoxious to consider her a human at first place ? “Raja Betas” have been pampered, protected & ill-groomed a lot. It’s high time now!
— BEAT KNOT (@BeatKnot) January 19, 2022
Do a better job and know better. Do a math and see out of how many married couples how many have filed a case and why. Although there are false accusations filed, not all are false.
— Kanimozhi Sarah Jayaseelan (@JASUSARAH) January 19, 2022
Having said that, the court is yet to put a word on this. Let us know what do you think of it.