An Exclusive Interview with Kajal Mathur, Law Student at Lloyd College
Alimony has long been a subject of debate in India. While it serves as financial support for divorced spouses, concerns over its misuse have been rising. Alongside legal challenges, divorced women also face severe societal judgment, making remarriage and independent life difficult.
To gain deeper insights into these issues, SheLit spoke with Kajal Mathur, a law student at Lloyd College, who shared her thoughts on alimony, legal biases, and the struggles of women navigating life after divorce.
Understanding Alimony and Its Misconceptions
Alimony is designed to provide financial security to a spouse who may not be self-sufficient post-divorce. However, many people wrongly assume that it is an automatic right granted to women. In reality, courts evaluate several factors—such as the duration of the marriage, financial standing of both parties, and their earning potential—before awarding alimony.
Interestingly, while alimony is often associated with women, men can also claim it in rare cases if they can prove financial dependence. The law aims to ensure fairness, but its execution remains a point of contention.
Are Divorced Women Truly Accepted in Indian Society?
Despite India’s progress in various fields, the social stigma surrounding divorced women remains strong. Society often labels them as “second-hand” or views them with suspicion, making remarriage and even financial independence difficult.
Urban areas are slowly becoming more accepting, but rigid and conservative communities continue to ostracize women who choose to walk out of unhappy or abusive marriages. Emotional and financial struggles post-divorce are made worse by the lack of social support, leaving many women feeling isolated and vulnerable.
The Question of Misuse: Should Alimony Laws Be Abolished?
Over the years, there have been increasing reports of misuse of alimony laws, where some individuals file exaggerated claims to extract financial benefits. According to NCRB data from 2020, over 85,000 cases were registered under Section 498A (dowry harassment), and 5,821 were later found to be false.
While such misuse exists, completely abolishing alimony laws would be unjust to genuine victims, particularly women who are financially dependent due to years of homemaking or child-rearing. Instead of removing the law, reforms are necessary to:
- Introduce strict penalties for false claims.
- Mandate mediation to encourage fair settlements.
- Ensure unbiased judicial hearings to prevent exploitation.
The law should protect those who need it, not become a tool for extortion.
Are Indian Laws Biased in Favor of Women?
Historically, India has been a male-dominated society, where women suffered from oppressive practices like sati, dowry harassment, child marriage, and denial of education. To correct these injustices, laws were introduced to protect women from violence and discrimination.
However, in modern times, as women gain education and financial independence, the assumption that only women can be victims is becoming outdated. Laws should be gender-neutral, ensuring justice for both men and women while preventing misuse. Just as reservation policies are reviewed periodically, legal reforms should be considered to maintain balance.
Millions of Women Still Suffer After Divorce – Should We Abandon Alimony?
While some misuse alimony laws, many women—especially in rural India—remain unaware of their legal rights and continue to suffer. Illiteracy and lack of legal awareness leave them vulnerable to financial and emotional hardships post-divorce.
Instead of scrapping alimony laws, more awareness campaigns are needed to educate women about their rights. Justice should not be denied just because a few people exploit the system.
A Law Student’s Perspective: The Journey of Studying Law
For Kajal Mathur, law is more than just a career—it is a passion. Coming from a supportive background, she was encouraged to choose an easier profession, but her dedication to justice led her to law.
“Many women only learn about their rights after they have suffered injustice. This must change,” she says. Legal literacy should be a priority, so women can stand up for themselves before they become victims.
Her journey in law has made her more practical and confident. She believes that every citizen should at least know the basic laws of the land, as legal knowledge is an essential life skill.
Are Courts a Safe Space for Women?
Ironically, while courts are meant to uphold justice, many women feel unsafe within court premises—especially in district courts. Cases of sexual harassment and intimidation of women, particularly those from marginalized communities, have been reported.
Another pressing issue is poor infrastructure in courts:
- Inadequate washroom facilities for women.
- Poor water supply and hygiene conditions.
- Non-functional sanitary pad vending machines, even in the Supreme Court.
Courts must address these basic issues to make the judicial process safer and more accessible for women.
The Role of the Judiciary in Restoring Public Trust
A justice system should inspire confidence, but delays, corruption, and biased judgments have eroded people’s faith in the courts. Many poor litigants, after years of fighting legal battles, resign themselves to the idea that “justice is only for the rich.”
Law exists to maintain balance in society. If people misuse legal provisions without fear of consequences, it is a failure of the justice system itself. Stricter implementation and regular legal reviews are needed to ensure that laws serve their intended purpose without being exploited.
“Courts are like temples, and the bench is like God. If people lose faith in the judiciary, democracy itself is at risk,” says Kajal Mathur.
This thought-provoking conversation with Kajal Mathur, a law student at Lloyd College, sheds light on the complex realities of alimony laws, social biases, and judicial challenges in India.
Kajal Mathur
Instagram : mathur_here_
While legal reforms are necessary to prevent misuse, the fundamental purpose of alimony should remain—to support those who truly need it. Society must evolve to accept divorced women, and courts must become safer, more efficient, and more just.
At SheLit, we continue to advocate for legal awareness, gender equality, and a balanced justice system. Let’s work towards a society where laws protect the vulnerable without being weaponized for personal gain.