Live-ins fuelling 60% of divorces in Haryana, need to instil moral values: Women panel chief

Live-in relationships are becoming a major concern for society in Haryana, with Haryana State Women Commission Chairperson Renu Bhatia stating that they are a significant factor behind rising divorce rates and family breakdowns. Citing data from cases reported during her tenure, she revealed that nearly 60 per cent of divorce and family breakdown cases stem from live-in relationships.

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Calling it a serious social issue, she urged families to instil strong moral values in their children and guide them responsibly. “We want families to discourage such practices (live-ins), particularly those formed through social media, which often lead to heartbreak and separation. Parents should teach moral values to children to ensure a bright future when they marry,” Bhatia said while talking to The Tribune.

During her visit to Kaithal to review cases related to crimes against women, Bhatia inspected the One-Stop Centre and the district jail and interacted with the Kaithal Deputy Commissioner.

She highlighted another growing trend in marital disputes, conflicts arising from unequal treatment or differing attitudes towards each other’s parents. “The mindset where partners differentiate between ‘my parents’ and ‘your parents’ has become a major reason behind rising domestic tensions. If couples treat both sets of parents equally, many disputes could be avoided. Building a sense of shared responsibility and emotional balance is essential to preserve the institution of marriage,” she said.

To reduce divorce rates and strengthen family bonds, she announced plans to open pre-wedding counselling centres across the state, following the model of existing centres in Gurugram and Faridabad. The Kaithal district administration will provide land for one such centre. “As soon as the space is finalised, the centre will become operational,” she said. These centres will guide couples on marital values, responsibilities and emotional aspects before marriage.

Bhatia advocated making pre-wedding counselling mandatory, stating, “The commission is working to ensure that no marriage is registered unless the couple attends a counselling session and receives a certificate.” She expressed hope that these measures would significantly reduce family separations.

During her visit, Bhatia addressed 12 cases of crimes against women, resolving four on the spot. The remaining cases were either under judicial review or pending investigation. In three instances, both parties were summoned to appear before the commission within 10 days. In one case involving an NRI accused of marriage fraud, she ordered the seizure of his passport and legal action. In another, concerning a woman from Maharashtra, she summoned an ITBP sub-inspector accused of multiple marriages.