7 months ago
4,000-Metre Saree Advocates Marital Rape Law Reform
A very long saree, 4,000 metres, was shown in Mumbai.
It was made to help change a law that does not protect women from being forced to have sex by their husbands.
Many people, including survivors, famous actors, and influential individuals, came to support this cause.
The saree has signatures and messages from people who want the law to change.
It will be shown in an art festival next year.
The law currently does not consider it rape if a husband forces sex on his wife who is 18 or older.
Many people want this to change to protect women's rights and safety.
The saree also has special codes that lead to an online petition where people can sign to support the cause.
A 4,000-metre saree was unveiled in Mumbai to advocate for the removal of the marital rape exception in Indian law.
The 'Infinite Saree' will be displayed at the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2026, aiming to reach a wide audience.
Activists and survivors called for urgent legal reform to protect women from marital rape, following a court case where a man was acquitted due to the marital rape exception.
The saree campaign supports ongoing legal advocacy and public momentum for the issue, with over 5,400 signatures on an online petition.
Actor Rahul Bhatt joined as a brand ambassador to bring men into the conversation about marital rape.
- Who
- Activists, politicians, diplomats, survivors, allies, and actor Rahul Bhatt
- What
- Unveiling of the world's longest saree to advocate for the removal of the marital rape exception
- Where
- Royal Opera House, Mumbai; Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2026
- When
- Wednesday (specific date not mentioned)
- Why
- To raise awareness and support legal reform against marital rape, following a court case where a man was acquitted due to the marital rape exception
Key facts
- Length of the Saree
- 4,000 metres
- Designer
- Nivedita Saboo
- Event Location
- Royal Opera House, Mumbai
- Event Date
- Wednesday (specific date not mentioned)
- Campaign Goal
- Remove marital rape exception from the Indian Penal Code
- Organisation
- Red Dot Foundation
- Current Legal Status
- Marital rape not criminalised for wives aged 18 or above
- Next Display
- Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2026 (January 31 to February 8)
- Online Petition Signatures
- 5,400 (goal: 50,000 by March-end)
- Brand Ambassador
- Actor Rahul Bhatt
Quotes
Supreet K Singh
Filmmaker and co-founder and CEO of Red Dot Foundation
“Last year, there was a case where a man sexually assaulted his wife, including forced and unnatural intercourse, which ultimately led to her death. The court acquitted him because of the marital rape exception in Indian law. We knew we had to do something.”
indianexpress.com
“That’s when the idea of the Infinite Saree took shape. A saree is intimate, familiar, and deeply tied to womanhood in this country. It speaks of strength and resilience, and also of what women are expected to carry in silence.”
indianexpress.com
