Over the past few months, the Indian courts have given us enough reasons to sit up and take notice. Whether it was their ruling on daughters-in-law or on the premise of divorce, different rulings have invited different opinion.
But that was just the beginning. It seems that their streak of controversies will continue as another ruling made headlines today.
As per the Delhi High Court an educated wife is not supposed to sit idle at home and live on her husband's earnings. Yes, you read that right!
This ruling was made when the court sat for a hearing on a case of domestic violence. The plaintiff (the wife) reportedly wanted to increase the "monthly interim maintenance" of Rs 25,000 which was awarded to her in 2008 and increased by 10 percent in 2015, to Rs 5,000 more.
However, the courts were not pleased by the request and turned it down, but not without another controversial ruling.
"She can earn herself"
Additional sessions judge RK Tripathi declined her request and noted that she was more qualified that her husband and therefore, more capable of earning.
“The appellant herself is a well-educated lady having a post graduation degree: MA, B.Ed and LLB, and is reported to be more qualified than the respondent (husband). She can earn herself. She is not supposed to sit idle at home and be a parasite on the earnings of the respondent,” the judge noted.
The earlier enhancement was justified, but not anymore
The magisterial court reportedly awarded Rs 5,000 per month from 2008. Then in 2015, the total amount was increased by 10 percent taking into consideration the increased inflation in the country.
"The metropolitan magistrate has rightly observed that inflation rate varies between six and 11 percent in India as per government statics. Therefore, the enhancement of maintenance at 10 percent (of Rs 5,000) is fully justified,” the judge had observed.
But this time when the woman asked for another increased the additional sessions judge declined. He also noted that the appellant could not justify the increase in the amount.
Although this case makes for an interesting case study for divorce between an educated couple, it also highlights the fact that educated women must try to be financially independent.
5 reasons women must be financially independent
A large number of Indian women are increasingly becoming more financially independent and the credit must go to their parents.
- It's a return on investment: Your parents have invested their life savings to educate you and therefore, you not only owe it to yourself to stand on your own feet, but also to them.
- It makes you more independent: Being financially independent gives a woman more freedom and confidence to make her own life decisions and not to rely on her parents or guardians or others to support her.
- It's makes you a role model for your kids: When children see their mothers working and climbing up the corporate ladder, they get inspired to do the same and work to stand on their own feet as well.
- It helps during emergencies: Having extra cash never hurts, especially when it is a time of emergency. If either one of the partners is saving, they can use that money for medical emergency, travel, education of their kids and so on.
- It helps a couple live comfortably: Let's not forget that two earning members of a family bring in much more money than one. Therefore, not only does your standard of living increase, you are exposed to a better lifestyle and that makes you capable of helping more people around you.
Read: 5 helpful tips that will better manage your finances
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[All images courtesy: Pixabay]
