During recent convocation ceremonies at Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, Jannayak Chandrashekhar Vishwavidyalaya, and Sampurnanand Sanskrit University in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel expressed her concerns regarding live-in relationships. Her remarks come in the wake of rising incidents of violence against women, as she encouraged young women to be prudent in their personal decisions.

Governor’s Warnings

Patel emphasized that “daughters must think carefully before taking any decision and should stay away from live-in relationships and such circumstances which may lead to exploitation.” Her address highlighted the potential dangers that such relationships could bring to women’s safety.

Particularly alarming was her reference to the social consequences of live-in arrangements, stating, “If you want to see the outcome of live-in relationships, go look at orphanages, where 15-20 year-old girls are standing in line with one-year-old kids.” She warned against the growing trend of live-in relationships, advising students to remain vigilant.

Promotion of Education and Personal Development

In lieu of pursuing live-in arrangements, Patel encouraged young women to focus on their education. She cautioned that future support from family members, including parents and in-laws, can be uncertain. “Education is for a change in life, not just for a degree,” she asserted, underlining its importance in empowering women.

Convocation Highlights

Patel’s chairmanship at the convocation saw the awarding of degrees to a total of 55,642 undergraduate and 15,321 postgraduate students. Among these, women represented a significant majority, with 34,252 undergraduate and 11,484 postgraduate degrees conferred. The event also recognized 178 research scholars who earned their PhDs and celebrated 101 meritorious students with gold medals.

Live-In Relationships in Uttarakhand

Meanwhile, Uttarakhand has enacted a Uniform Civil Code requiring that live-in couples register their relationships with the government within a month of their commencement. This registration mandates proof of age and residency, with non-compliance potentially resulting in fines or imprisonment for up to six months. This legal framework aims to provide protections for children born from these arrangements and obliges landlords to verify registration for lease agreements.