‘More difficult than getting married’: Why couples, legal experts oppose live-in relationship laws

Shubhangi*, 27 does not intend to register her live-in relationship with her partner in Pune, even though as permanent residents of Uttarakhand, they are required to do so by the Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code.

“Why should we register?” Shubhangi asked. “What benefit or protection will this provide us?”

The new law, which came into effect on January 27, mandates that all persons in live-in relationships within Uttarakhand, as well as all residents of the state temporarily living outside, must register their relationships. Failing to register a live-in relationship could result in imprisonment up to three months and a fine up to Rs 10,000.

Registration will soon be required for persons in live-in relationships in Rajasthan too, going by a judgement of the Rajasthan High Court on January 29 that directed the state government to make it mandatory for couples in a live-in relationship to enter into an agreement.

If other Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled states adopt a uniform civil code that follows the Uttarakhand model, registering live-in relationships will become the reality for a large proportion of Indians.

However, this trend would go against the very reason people enter live-in relationships in the first place: to live together without state or community interference. This, after all, is what differentiates a live-in relationships from marriage.

Family law and...

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