Pune Judge’s Remark on Woman Not Wearing Sindoor Sparks Controversy

Pune, India: A shocking courtroom exchange in a Pune district court has sparked outrage after a judge questioned a woman’s marital commitment for not wearing a mangalsutra and sindoor during a domestic violence mediation session.

The incident was shared by Ankur R Jahagirdar, a disputes lawyer, in a LinkedIn post, which has since gone viral. He recounted how the judge told the woman, “If you don’t behave like a married woman, why would your husband show any interest in you?”

Jahagirdar further highlighted another case where a sessions judge advised his female client to be "flexible" regarding maintenance, stating, “If a man earns well, he might even marry a maid, but a woman will always look for a husband who earns more.”

This isn’t the first such instance. In 2022, the Madras High Court granted divorce to a man, ruling that his estranged wife’s refusal to wear a mangalsutra amounted to "mental cruelty."

Calling these incidents the "tip of the iceberg," Jahagirdar pointed out the deep-seated patriarchy in the legal system, stating that such remarks often go unchallenged. His post has reignited discussions about gender bias in Indian courts.