SC Says Husbands Must Share Household Chores, Not Cruelty
SC Says Husbands Must Share Household Chores, Not Cruelty
Supreme Court urges equal participation in cooking, cleaning and other chores, redefining cruelty in marriage.
The Supreme Court in Delhi on Friday emphasized that household chores should be shared by both spouses, noting that times have changed and a husband must contribute to cooking, washing and other domestic tasks. The bench, comprised of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, made the remarks while hearing a petition filed by a man seeking divorce on grounds of cruelty. The case had seen the Karnataka High Court overturn a trial court’s order granting divorce on cruelty grounds. During the hearing, the man’s counsel said mediation between the couple—who married in 2017 and have an eight-year-old son—had failed, and since 2019 the couple has been separated. The court questioned what cruelty was alleged, and the counsel pointed to the wife’s alleged improper behaviour and failure to cook. Justice Nath responded firmly: “You have to equally participate in all these. Cooking, cleaning, washing, everything.” He added that today’s times require shared responsibility, and that the High Court’s view that such behavior might not constitute cruelty was not necessarily correct.
The bench did not dismiss the broader question of cruelty but underscored that a life partner’s duties extend beyond traditional roles. By highlighting equal participation in domestic work, the court signaled a shift in how domestic dynamics are viewed under civil disputes. The decision also reflects a growing recognition of changing gender norms in Indian marriages, where equitable sharing of chores is increasingly seen as part of a healthy partnership rather than grounds for punitive action.
Observers say the ruling could influence how future divorce petitions are framed and adjudicated, encouraging couples to address domestic duties as part of their relationship agreements. While the matter remains before the judiciary, the bench’s comments have already sparked renewed discussion about equality at home and the practical realities of modern marriages.
