Live-in relationships could soon get embroiled in a political controversy in India. In Uttarakhand, at least, live-ins are on the cusp of inviting potential problems. The Uniform Civil Code Bill tabled in the Uttarakhand Assembly reportedly mandates the registration of every single live-in relationship. The deadline to do so is just 30 days. Failure to get such a relationship registered could entail imprisonment for up to six months.
Already, outrage on social media is significant. There is this fear that similar laws could be made by the Parliament in the future. "Many folks do not know the exact date that they actually entered into a live-in relationship. From friends with benefits to a live-in, lines are quite blurred. This is an invite to cops in Dehradun & Binsar to poke around bedrooms," wrote Sanjay Hegde, a lawyer, highlighting practical issues.
"Register live-in relationships with the state. Next, register Tinder dates. Don’t forget to register friendships with the opposite gender," sarcastically wrote a Twitter user. "Such laws are specifically designed not for rigorous legal implementation, but to create a vague legal basis for cultural vigilantism and moral policing," opined Angshuman Choudhury.
It is hoped that the courts will strike down the provision, which blatantly violates the right to privacy.
