Judge Criticized for Patriarchal Comments During Domestic Violence Mediation in Pune

A Pune district court judge questioned a woman's marital commitment based on her lack of traditional symbols, sparking widespread criticism of judicial attitudes.

• During a domestic violence mediation, a Pune judge remarked that a woman not wearing a mangalsutra or bindi might cause her husband to lose interest in her.
• The comments were shared by lawyer Ankur R. Jahagirdar in a LinkedIn post, highlighting systemic issues in lower courts' handling of such cases.
• The judge's remarks reflect a broader pattern of judicial attitudes, with similar comments made in past cases, including rulings equating the absence of marital symbols to mental cruelty.
• Another incident shared by Jahagirdar involved a judge pressuring a woman to show 'flexibility' in maintenance demands, using demeaning comparisons to male 'flexibility.'
• These incidents have reignited discussions about patriarchy in the judicial system and its impact on women's rights and faith in mediation processes.

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