India one of a few democracies overlooking marital rape: Shashi Tharoor
Diplomat-turned-senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Thursday, December 11, 2025, said he was shocked that despite stringent anti-rape laws, India remains one of the few democracies where marital rape is not treated with the seriousness it deserves.
Speaking at a program organized by Prabha Khaitan Foundation in association with FICCI Women’s Organization, Mr. Tharoor said, “I was shocked to learn that India is one of the few democracies in the world where the case of a husband raping his wife without her consent is not treated with the seriousness it should be.”
He pointed out that although India has a strong anti-rape law, there are exceptions for marital rape, which is nothing more than husbands raping a woman without her consent. “Why are they [husbands] “Is there an exemption?” he said.
“Not respecting one’s life partner and raping her against her will, citing the illegality of the marital relationship and violence against women,” he added.
He said the current ruling was based on “an outdated assumption that marriage is a sacred ceremony and what happens within it cannot be otherwise classified.” “We feel that a proper law against domestic rape is greatly needed in the country. However, it is sad that even female ministers holding certain positions do not look into this issue to prevent such atrocities,” he said.
Mr Tharoor said the exception was a “travesty” in the interests of justice and provided impunity even in cases where couples were separated but not yet divorced.
“There is a lot of marital rape between couples who are separated but not legally divorced. For example, you often see situations where talaq is declared, the husband lives separately but returns whenever he wants and forces himself on his wife, and nothing can be done because the law still considers them as husband and wife,” he said.
Explained: Laws on rape and sexual offenses
Mr. Tharoor was responding to a question from a female college student during a ‘tete-a-tete’ with him and his sisters Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan and Smita Tharoor at GD Birla Sabhagar in Kolkata.
Observing that there is an implicit assumption that “marital rape” can be allowed within a conjugal marriage, he reiterated, “It is not part of conjugal love, it is violence.” “We need to defend women’s rights, which are ignored in many ways. We must raise our voices,” Mr. Tharoor said, to thunderous applause from the audience.
When asked about alleged hostility towards Indians and other immigrants in the US and Europe, he acknowledged that “the resentment has become much more visible, very openly hostile.” “There is hostility towards immigrants and xenophobia not only in the West, but all over the world. People think that their dreams are blocked by people who are not like them. This hostility is increasing and is also seen in our country.”
Anti-rape laws: How many states have adopted and enforced these laws?
“My advice to young people who go to the USA for a scholarship is to gain knowledge and then return. Your city needs you. Your country needs you,” he said.
Thanking his sisters and family for giving him “tremendous, emotional support to negotiate the difficult complexities of political life”, Mr Tharoor said: “The most important thing is to be true to yourself. Pay attention to your merits and abilities in your chosen field.”
“I have always said that there is no point in being a stereotypical politician. I believe in my politics, my ideas, my values and I stand behind them. Even if my values are not pleasant, I never hesitate. I have never said anything that I do not believe in.”
Supreme Court warns government in Nirbhaya verdict: Stricter anti-rape laws alone cannot deter crimes against women
Asked about the perception that he communicates with exotic, unfamiliar English words, Mr. Tharoor said, “I like to think that I am someone who communicates with people, and if they don’t understand you, there is no point in communicating.” When asked whether he exercises diplomatic restraint at home, he humorously explained, “I will not say that I am diplomatic at home. Not in public, but when you are with your relatives, there is no possibility of you being under surveillance (while at home), regardless of whether you follow the party line in every word and action you take.”
It was published – 12 December 2025 13:24 IST
