The Madras High Court made a striking observation while hearing a divorce case involving a couple who had been living separately for 16 years. During the judgment, the court referred to Vodafone’s famous pug advertisement to explain an important point about marriage and individual freedom.
The court observed that a wife cannot be expected to follow her husband everywhere like the loyal Vodafone pug. It noted that marriage does not mean one spouse must give up personal choices or career commitments simply because the other partner moves to a different city for work.
The Family Court had earlier criticised the husband for relocating to Mumbai without taking his wife along. However, the High Court disagreed with that view. It said both spouses may have independent careers and responsibilities, making such expectations unrealistic.
The judges stressed that marriage is based on mutual respect and understanding, not blind obedience. They used the Vodafone pug analogy to underline that neither spouse is expected to follow the other without considering personal circumstances.
Since the couple had been living apart for 16 years with no possibility of reconciliation, the court held that the marriage had irretrievably broken down. It directed the husband to pay Rs 7 lakh as alimony, after which the divorce would take effect.
