Archive · 6 Dec 2025
Tharoor Introduces Bill to Criminalise Marital Rape
Shashi Tharoor, a Congress MP, introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha to make marital rape a crime.
Currently, the law does not consider non-consensual sex within marriage as a crime.
Tharoor argues that this is unfair and that married women should have the same rights as unmarried women.
He believes that marriage should not be a reason to ignore a woman's right to say no to sex.
The bill aims to change the law so that non-consensual sex within marriage is treated as a crime, just like any other form of sexual violence.
This change would help protect women's rights and ensure that they have control over their own bodies, even within marriage.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor introduced a Private Member’s Bill to criminalise marital rape.
The Bill seeks to remove the marital rape exception from the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Tharoor argues that marriage should not be a shield against accountability for non-consensual sex.
The Bill aims to uphold women’s dignity, bodily autonomy, and constitutional rights.
Tharoor stressed that the issue is about violence, not marriage, and that every woman deserves the fundamental right to bodily autonomy and dignity within marriage.
- Who
- Congress MP Shashi Tharoor
- What
- Introduced a Private Member’s Bill to criminalise marital rape
- When
- December 5, 2025
- Where
- Lok Sabha
- Why
- To remove the marital rape exception from the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and ensure married women receive the same legal protection as unmarried women
Pro-Criminalisation
Anti-Criminalisation
Marital Rape Exception
Pro-Criminalisation
The exception should be removed to ensure gender equality and protect women's rights.
Anti-Criminalisation
The exception should be retained to protect the institution of marriage.
Consent in Marriage
Pro-Criminalisation
Consent is essential in all sexual relationships, including marriage.
Anti-Criminalisation
Marriage implies consent, and criminalising marital rape could lead to misuse of the law.
Legal Framework
Pro-Criminalisation
The current law is outdated and fails to protect married women from sexual violence.
Anti-Criminalisation
The current law provides a balance between protecting women and maintaining family harmony.
- Bill Introduced By
- Shashi Tharoor
- Bill Type
- Private Member’s Bill
- Bill Objective
- Remove marital rape exception from Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
- Bill Introduction Date
- December 5, 2025
- Bill Focus
- Criminalise non-consensual sex within marriage
- Bill Argument
- Marriage cannot negate a woman’s right to consent
- Bill Constitutional Value
- Uphold 'Only Yes Means Yes' standard
Sources
'No Means No': Shashi Tharoor Introduces Bill In Lok Sabha To Criminalise Marital Rape
‘Moment for action has arrived’: Shashi Tharoor seeks end to India’s marital rape exemption
Tharoor Introduces Bill To Criminalise Marital Rape, Says It's Urgent Necessity In Legal Framework
