January 2023

Remarriage takes place after the first marriage knot ends due to divorce or the death of the spouse. In ancient India, the remarriage of the widow, especially women, was considered taboo and the ancient customs of India didn’t allow widow remarriage. During the colonial period, the British introduced the Hindu Widow Remarriage Act, of 1856, which made it legal for widows to remarry. This statute received widespread criticism and disapproval from many sections of society in India and was considered an interference of Britishers in Indian culture and religion. For a long time, Hindu Customs didn’t recognize divorce between spouses and thus disallowed and forbid remarriage in India. But post-independence the parliament passed the Hindu Marriage Act, of 1955 which recognized and legalized divorce under Section 13 of the Act hence allowing remarriage subsequent to the prior marriage end.