Q. In the context of Indian history, the Rakhmabai case of 1884 revolved around

  1. women’s right to gain education
  2. age of consent
  3. restitution of conjugal rights

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  • 1 and 2 only
  • 2 and 3 only
  • 1 and 3 only
  • 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only

Notes:
  • Rakhmabai Case (1884):
    • The Rakhmabai case of 1884, a pivotal event in Indian history, revolved around the issue of the age of consent and the right of a woman to refuse to live with her husband after a child marriage, leading to a heated debate on marriage and women’s rights.
    • Dr. Rukhmabai (1864 –1955) was an Indian physician and feminist. She is best known for being one of the first practising women doctors in colonial India as well as being involved in a landmark legal case involving her marriage as a child bride between 1884 and 1888. 
    • She was married off at the young age of eleven with Dadaji Bhikaji, who was nineteen years old. She stayed at her parent’s house and she educated herself under the guidance of her stepfather. In 1885, after 12 years of marriage, Bhikaji filed a petition in the court and sought “restitution of conjugal rights”. 
    • Rakhmabai Defense Committee was formed by Behramji Malabari and Pandita Ramabai in her defence. The case continued for 4 years until Dadaji was compensated in 1888, outside of court. The case was instrumental in the drafting of the Age of Consent Act in 1891. 
  • Age of Consent:
    • The case highlighted issues related to the age of consent, as Rakhmabai was married at a very young age and had not yet reached the legal age of consent for sexual relations.
    • This was a crucial aspect of the case that drew attention to the need for legal reforms regarding marriage and consent.
  • Restitution of Conjugal Rights:
    • The case also revolved around the husband’s petition for restitution of conjugal rights, which was a legal provision allowing a husband to seek the return of his wife to the marital home.
  • Women’s Right to Education:
    • While Rakhmabai’s case had broader implications for women’s rights, particularly in the context of education, the specific legal proceedings primarily focused on the age of consent and the rights related to marriage.