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Court unites couples seeking divorce over child’s name


It’s not uncommon for couples to argue over what to name their child, but it rarely ends up in court.

But a couple from the southern Indian state of Karnataka found themselves needing court intervention after a three-year dispute over their son’s name.

In fact, the argument got so nasty that the couple filed for divorce.

It all started in 2021, when an unnamed woman gave birth to a boy and went to her parents’ house for a few weeks. In India, it is common for women to move into their parents’ house after giving birth to rest and recuperate.

As a rule, the husband came to bring the mother and child home.

But when the then 21-year-old refused to accept the name her husband had chosen for their son, he was upset – and didn’t go out of his way to win her back.

Instead, she chose the name Adi for her child — which is made up of the first letter of her name and part of her husband’s name, according to Assistant Prosecutor Hunsur Sawmiya MN.

Months turned into years and the woman, who was still in her parents’ home, approached a local court in Hunsur town in Mysuru district of the state, demanding financial support from her husband.

Her lawyer M. R. Harish told BBC Hindi that the dispute has now escalated to the point where she is seeking a divorce.

“She wanted maintenance money because she’s a housewife,” he said.

The case was initially referred to a local court, but was later transferred to the People’s Court, also known as the Lok Adalat, which hears cases that can be resolved through mediation.

Despite many suggestions from the judges, the couple remained firm – until they finally settled on a name chosen by the court.

The baby is now named Aryavardhan, says Ms. Sowmiya, which means “noble one.”

The couple then exchanged garlands, a symbol of acceptance as per Indian tradition, and apparently left happily to continue their marriage.

This is not the only case in recent years where an Indian court has had to intervene when it comes to naming a child.

In September last year, a child in Kerala was turned away from school after her birth certificate was found to be blank.

Her mother went to court, explaining that she tried to register the four-year-old girl, but officials refused to fill out the form because her estranged father was not there.

In its order, the High Court directed the birth registration department to accept the name suggested by the mother and add the name of the father.



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