Fri Dec 05 18:46:05 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewritten version as a news article:

Summary:

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has introduced a private member’s bill in the Lok Sabha seeking to criminalize marital rape. He argued that India needs to align with its constitutional principles and move beyond simply requiring the absence of resistance (“no means no”) to a standard requiring explicit consent (“only yes means yes”).

News Article:

Tharoor Introduces Bill to Criminalize Marital Rape in Lok Sabha

New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has introduced a private member’s bill in the Lok Sabha on Friday, aiming to criminalize marital rape in India. The move signals a renewed push to address a long-debated legal loophole that currently exempts non-consensual sexual acts within marriage from the definition of rape.

During the introduction of the bill, Tharoor emphasized the need for India to uphold its constitutional values and ensure equality and bodily autonomy for all women. He argued that the existing legal framework is inadequate and urged a shift in perspective from a “no means no” standard to an “only yes means yes” approach, emphasizing the importance of explicit consent in all sexual encounters, regardless of marital status.

“India must align its laws with fundamental human rights and ensure that marriage is not used as a shield to perpetrate violence against women,” Tharoor stated.

The bill’s introduction is expected to spark significant debate in Parliament and across the country, with supporters arguing that it is a crucial step towards gender equality and the protection of women’s rights, while opponents may raise concerns about potential impacts on the institution of marriage and family structures. The fate of the bill now rests with the Lok Sabha, where it will be subject to further discussion and a vote. The introduction of this bill signals a growing movement in India to address the contentious issue of marital rape and bring the nation’s laws in line with international human rights standards.

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