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"To condemn every marriage in this country as a violent marriage and every man a rapist not advisable," Union Minister of Women and Child Development Smriti Irani said in the Parliament on being questioned on the stance of Union in the marital rape case.

The question was posed by the Communist Party of India's Member of Parliament Binoy Viswam on his supplementary query on marital rape in Rajya Sabha.

"Currently, over 30 helplines are functioning in our country which have assisted over 66 lakh women. Currently, there are 703 One Stop Centres that are functional in this country that have assisted over five lakh women… Protection of women and children in our country is a priority for all,” Irani further informed the parliament.

In her response, Irani also added that the matter is currently sub-judice but the Union has started the process of bringing comprehensive changes to criminal law. Irani said, 

"The matter of marital rape is sub-judice before the High Court of Delhi in Review Petition in W.P. (Criminal) No. 284/ 2015 filed by RIT Foundation against the Union of India. Further, the Department related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, in its 146th Report had recommended that there is a need for a comprehensive review of the Criminal Justice System of the country. Earlier, the Parliamentary Standing Committee in its 111th and 128th reports had also stressed upon the need to reform and rationalize the criminal law of the country by introducing a comprehensive legislation in Parliament rather than bringing about piece-meal amendments in respective Acts. Accordingly, the Government of India has initiated the process for comprehensive amendments to criminal laws in consultation with all stakeholders."

A Delhi High Court bench of justices Rajiv Shakdher and C Hari Shankar is hearing the case challenging the constitutionality of marital rape exception in Section 375 (2) Indian Penal Code (IPC).