Maha Govt proposal on `live-in' relationship criticised

MUMBAI: Maharashtra government's proposal to legalise live-in relationship has come in for flak from opposition BJP which described it as a "rude shock".
     
"The decision is a rude shock. We have decided to meet Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Social Justice Minister Chandrakant Handore to oppose the proposal," Mumbai BJP spokesperson Shaina N C said.
    
A rally would also be organised by women's wing of the party and the issue would be raised in Parliament, she said.
    
If the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPc) section 125 is amended, it would be blatantly misused by both men and women, she said.
    
Objecting to live-in relationships, she said Hindu Marriage Act or even Muslim laws do not permit such relations. "Then why is the government bent on according it legal status"? she added.
    
Accusing the government of double-standards on the issue, Shaina said "on one hand, the government is playing moral police by closing dance bars, on the other hand, it is encouraging such relations."