Marital rape might be a crime in countries like US. But the issue whether to make marital rape as illegal and punishable has always been avoided in India. Yesterday, Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi has even declared that it's not possible to criminalise marital rapes in India. While giving a written reply in Rajya Sabha, Maneka has stated- "It is considered that the concept of marital rape, as understood internationally, cannot be suitably applied in the Indian context due to various factors like level of education or illiteracy, poverty, myriad social customs and values, religious beliefs, mindset of the society to treat the marriage as a sacrament etc." Surprisingly, Maneka herself has often strongly condemned the silence associated with marital rape before.

The submission of Maneka Gandhi was drawing criticisms from all around the country. Rekha Sharma, a member of National Commission for Women (NCW) has strongly condemned the declaration of the Honourable minister. "In the name of religious beliefs we can't let women suffer cruelty by their husbands. We made laws against animal sacrifices too. A rape is a rape whether done by husband or outsider and punishment must be same. If people are not educated, they will once law gets made,'' Sharma tweeted on Friday

Now, it’s back to Maneka to deliver some assurance for the best part of the society!