Knotty affair

Marriage apparently has gone out of fashion. Or rather seems to have taken a different significance, as more and more couples, defying the sanctity of the sacred institution, tie temporary nuptial knots and /or seek fake divorces, citing reasons which would normally be unacceptable in a traditional society. The followers of this trend, mostly aspiring couples, neither have any qualms about getting legally married nor when they untie the knot with an equal flourish. Couples have also been found to file for divorces to evade legal tangles involving property and bank loans. Some other couples seek divorce in order to enjoy the employment benefits a single person could have.

Marriage in our society is supposed to bind couples together for life — both in times of happiness or in sorrow. Surprisingly, the number of cases registered for divorce has risen to 300 per cent in Kathmandu alone during the past five years. This might be the result of increased awareness among women, who may not want to resist violence, torture and mistreatment at homes. This might also indicate that Nepali men and women are increasingly valuing their individual freedom more than the traditional norms. On the other hand, the freedom to seek divorce without a genuine reason has given both men and women a leeway to use it as a tool for ulterior motives. This calls for a proper review of the legal provisions to strike a balance between all these factors.