Pune: “Mangalsutra, Tikli Missing?”—Judge’s Words in Divorce Case Sparks Social Media Outrage
Pune, 5th March 2025: A controversial remark made by a judge during a divorce case hearing in Pune’s family court has triggered outrage on social media. The judge, while mediating between the estranged couple, reportedly told the wife, “You don’t wear a mangalsutra, you don’t wear a tikli, why would your husband be interested in you?”
The comment was brought to public attention by Pune-based lawyer Ankur R. Jahagirdar, who shared it on his social media account. The couple involved in the case has been living separately for some time, and the court was attempting to resolve their dispute.
During the hearing, the wife alleged that her husband was not interested in her. In response, the judge reportedly advised her to “live like a married woman.” The remarks have since sparked a heated debate online, with many calling them regressive and insensitive.
Jahagirdar, in his social media post, expressed his strong disapproval of the judge’s statement. “I personally did not like this comment at all. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Many such statements are made in district courts. These comments can offend any rational person. Our society has a tolerance for humiliating things, which is a major flaw of the patriarchal system. Unfortunately, there is no mechanism to complain about such remarks by judges,” he wrote.
The comment has drawn widespread criticism, with many users condemning the judge’s attitude. One user suggested that district-level judges should receive training in soft skills and sensitivity to avoid making such remarks.
The incident has reignited discussions on gender sensitivity in the judiciary and the need for reforms to ensure respectful and unbiased treatment of individuals in legal proceedings.
