Political parties across the spectrum invoke the fight against patriarchy, yet their legislative agendas frequently bypass the concrete hardships faced by women trapped in abandoned marriages or coerced unions. Analysts note that rhetoric in parliamentary speeches and election manifestos rarely translates into policies that address the legal loopholes allowing husbands to abandon wives without recourse, or the social pressures that force girls into early marriages.
Grassroots organisations and women’s rights NGOs are documenting a surge in cases where women lack legal protection after abandonment, and where forced marriages persist despite existing statutes. Legal scholars argue that current provisions in the Hindu Marriage Act and related personal laws are inadequate, calling for amendments that enforce maintenance obligations, streamline divorce procedures, and criminalise coercive marriage practices. Recent court rulings have highlighted the judiciary’s willingness to intervene, but systemic enforcement remains uneven.
Cultural narratives that glorify sacrifice and silence dissent continue to reinforce orthodoxy, making it difficult for women to claim agency. Media commentary underscores the need for a shift from symbolic battles over patriarchy to substantive reforms that embed gender equity in family law, social welfare schemes, and public education campaigns.
