India's refusal to criminalize marital rape is being brought to the forefront by the new web series "Chiraiya," which premiered on JioHotstar in March. The show has garnered millions of viewers and critical praise for addressing the taboo subject of consent within marriage.
"Chiraiya" follows Pooja, a young bride whose dreams are shattered when her husband rapes her on their wedding night. The series challenges the notion that marital rape is not a crime in India, a legal stance that has persisted despite years of activism.
The show explores the journey of Kamlesh, a traditional homemaker who evolves from believing consent is implicit in marriage to becoming an ally for victims. Actress Divya Dutta, who plays Kamlesh, highlighted the show's focus on consent within marriage and the societal stigma surrounding the issue. "Marital rape is very difficult to talk about. Every woman who goes through it thinks it's just her story," Dutta stated.
Despite campaigns by activists, India remains among countries where marital rape is not outlawed, with the government and some groups opposing amendments to colonial-era laws. The series aims to initiate societal dialogue, as writer Divy Nidhi Sharma noted, "This injustice is happening within our homes, in our neighbourhoods. What I find most troubling is that there's no legal or social recourse."
Director Shashant Shah emphasized that the series seeks to raise societal awareness rather than challenge the government. "We wanted to raise this question to the society - how do you look at it? We wanted to make people aware," he said. The show portrays men as ordinary individuals rather than caricatures, reflecting how deeply entrenched patriarchal attitudes can be.
The response to "Chiraiya" has been largely positive, with many viewers expressing their gratitude for addressing such a critical issue. While some negative feedback has emerged, the creators maintain their goal is to use art to mainstream taboo topics and encourage conversation.