Marital rape may become crime: Maneka Gandhi

In a reversal of her earlier stand, Maneka Gandhi said the Centre was considering criminalizing marital rape. The issue is under consideration of the law commission.
Maneka Gandhi has gone back and forth on this controversial issue.On March 10, Maneka had told Rajya Sabha that marital rape as a concept was not suited for legislation in the Indian context, drawing criticisms from rights activists.
Criminalization of marital rape, a recommending of Verma committee set up in response to public outrage over the Nirbhaya gang rape 2012, was not accepted by parliamentary panel as well as UPA government.
Maneka said, ” It is considered that the concept of marital rape, as understood internationally, cannot be suitably applied in Indian context due to various factors eg: lack of education, poverty and mindset of society towards marriage as sacrament”.