n a remarkable case highlighting how deeply personal beliefs can strain a marriage, the Gujarat High Court has upheld the divorce of a couple who ended their 23-year marital relationship after a prolonged dispute over eating onion and garlic.
The conflict stemmed from the wife’s strict adherence to the Swaminarayan sect, which prohibits the consumption of onion and garlic. This difference in dietary preferences eventually grew into an irreconcilable divide.
A division bench of Justices Sangeeta Vishen and Nisha Thakore dismissed the wife’s appeal against the divorce, noting her decision to no longer oppose the dissolution of marriage. While she initially contested the family court’s decision, she ultimately restricted her appeal to the alimony granted.
Quoting the High Court order dated November 27, the bench observed that:
“Following the religion and consumption of onion and garlic was the trigger point of the differences between the parties.”
How the Marriage Broke Down
- Married in 2002, the couple lived with the husband’s family.
- To accommodate the wife’s beliefs, the husband’s mother prepared separate meals without onion or garlic.
- Despite these arrangements, disputes continued to escalate.
- In 2007, the wife left the matrimonial home with their child, citing ongoing conflicts.
- The husband had earlier filed complaints of torture and harassment.
- In 2013, he moved the Ahmedabad family court seeking divorce on grounds of cruelty and desertion.
- The family court granted divorce in May 2024.
Maintenance Dispute
During High Court hearings, the wife argued she had not received maintenance for 18 months despite a family court order. Her lawyer stated that out of the total ₹13,02,000 due, only ₹2,72,000 had been received as interim maintenance.
The husband had deposited ₹4,27,000 during litigation.
The High Court directed that this amount be transferred to the wife after verification and ordered the husband to deposit the remaining balance immediately for onward transfer to her bank account.
Final Word
With both parties no longer contesting the dissolution, the Gujarat High Court confirmed the family court’s ruling, formally ending a marriage that had been strained for over two decades—ultimately rooted in a dispute over dietary practices and religious beliefs.
