In the Editorial page article, “Not a criminal act” (January 11), the writer’s focus on individual autonomy and the right to privacy as an argument against an adultery law seems irrational. Marriage is not a relation in vagueness and binds partners in a code of societal morality. Further cheating within a marriage is a breach of trust and a fraud committed on emotional values. Of course the present law not being equal is problematic. The solution lies in empowering the women by declaring husbands too as their exclusive property.
Balajee Sumant Chemote,
Ranchi, Jharkhand
The writer is correct in stating that individual choices and autonomy are recognised to be an integral part of the right to privacy. In a marriage, an individual makes a choice using his/her autonomy to do so and makes a commitment to be with someone. In an era when live-in relations are given the status of marriage, it is strange how maintaining loyalty cannot be justified on the grounds of individual choices and autonomy. How can a “contract” breach be let go without the doer bearing any consequences? Won’t we be sending a wrong message to the next generation? Our goal should be to take society towards a rationally-valued system and also maintain societal order.
Abhinav Piyush,
New Delhi