The law, implemented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July, replaces India's 164-year-old penal code from the colonial period, according to CNN's report on Saturday.
The Indian government reportedly introduced this law to address the confusion caused by conflicting Supreme Court rulings on men who break off engagements after having sexual relations.
In 2019, the court ruled that a man was not guilty of rape for canceling a marriage because the woman continued the relationship despite knowing potential issues. However, in a separate case that same year, the court convicted a man of rape and sentenced him to 10 years in prison and a fine for breaking off an engagement and marrying another woman.
The introduction of this law has sparked a heated debate. Supporters argue that the law upholds women's rights and promotes gender equality, while others worry about the possibility of its misuse and the shifting views on arranged marriages and premarital sex in India.
"Such legal reforms reflect a growing awareness of the need to protect individuals from all forms of coercion and exploitation," said Andy King, a Facebook user, on Monday.
Other Facebook users express skepticism as they consider the potential for misuse of the law. "The flip side could be women trapping men with pregnancy and lying about birth control, paternity, and infidelity," said John Adleman.
Hayley McWeeney commented, "3/4 of American men would be in prison if we had that same law!"
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