In a groundbreaking decision, an Indian court has ruled that a woman watching pornography or masturbating is not valid grounds for divorce, affirming that marriage does not strip a woman of her sexual autonomy.
The ruling, delivered on Wednesday by the Madras High Court in Tamil Nadu, came after a man sought to end his marriage, alleging that his wife was “addicted” to self-pleasure while watching porn. A lower court had earlier dismissed his request, prompting his appeal.
Rejecting his claims, the High Court stated that “self-pleasure is not forbidden fruit” and emphasized that just as male masturbation is widely accepted, women should not be stigmatized for the same act. The court further asserted that a woman’s identity is not erased by marriage and that she retains her fundamental rights as an individual.
While the court acknowledged that excessive pornography consumption could be harmful, it clarified that it is not a legally justifiable reason to dissolve a marriage.
In India, divorce remains a sensitive issue, with only 1% of marriages ending in separation due to societal and family pressures. The country’s slow-moving legal system further complicates the process, often dragging divorce cases on for years.
