In the last few years, there has been a significant increase in the cases of live-in relationships along with extra marital affairs, which has resulted in deteriorating families in Haryana, particularly in districts falling in the National Capital Region (NCR). Apart from this, illicit relations after marriage are also continuously ruining the families, which is evident from the statistics of Haryana State Women Commission (HSWC).
An acute spike in such cases is most likely to have far reaching implications affecting social structure and fabric in the state.The data made available by the HSWC revealed that earlier, only one or two cases were reported in Commission in a month, but now the situation has degraded as a multifold increase in cases has been witnessed. Every month 20 to 25 cases in both categories are coming to the Commission. Pertaining to the issue, the Renu Bhatia, the chairperson of the HSWC said, “The gravity of the situation can be gauged from the fact that in many cases it has come to light that even 15 year old boys and girls have been in live-in relationships The trend of live-in relationships has increased rapidly among the youth aged 15 to 25 years which is a matter of serious concern making parents to mull over the issue.”
The statistics have further revealed that even married men and women are establishing illicit relations. Due to this, the future of the children of married couples is constantly at stake. In this series, a very sensational case has come to fore In Kaithal, a mother of three children had illicit relations with her brother-in-law’s son and nephew. The matter did not sort out, later it was revealed that the woman was pregnant with her nephew.
Notably, while hearing a petition, The Punjab & Haryana High Court recently imposed a fine of Rs. 2,500 on already married individuals entering into a live-in relationship stated that married individuals cannot enter live-in relationships with others during the subsistence.
Khap Panchayats, social organisations and sociologists have expressed concern about this many times. In a meeting held at Haibatpur village of Haryana’s Jind district recently, the representatives announced that Sarpanchs and Khaps will set up a joint non-political committee to take decisions pertaining to the issue.