A Fight Over Naming Baby, A Near-Divorce, And Then A Court Intervention

Naming a baby can turn out to be a difficult task, and even more so when the couple doesn't agree. A similar case happened in Karnataka when a couple sought divorce after an impasse over naming their child.

The controversy began when the man, 26, didn't attend the naming ceremony of his boy, who was born in 2021. He didn't go to the event, organized by his 21-year-old wife, as he did not agree to the name given by her. She had suggested naming him Adi.

After months of arguments, the woman approached the court seeking separation and maintenance.

They then also refused multiple suggestions given by judges.

However, last week, the parents were called by a judge of a Mysore Session Court, and it was amicably decided to name the three-year-old boy Aryaverdhan.

The couple settled the dispute and are now living together with their baby.

Last year, the Kerala High Court named a three-year-old child after her estranged parents could not arrive at a consensus on what they should name her.

In an order, the judge said the name suggested by the mother, with whom the child was residing, has to be given due importance, while the name of the father is also to be incorporated due to the absence of any dispute on paternity.

As the couple could not arrive at a consensus on the name, the mother approached the high court. The court observed that while invoking its parents' patriae jurisdiction, the paramount consideration was the welfare of the child and not the rights of the parents.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/a-fight-over-naming-baby-a-near-divorce-and-then-a-court-intervention-7292901

Comprehension

What caused the couple in Karnataka to seek a divorce?
Why did the father not attend the naming ceremony organized by the mother?
What name was ultimately decided for the child in the Karnataka case?
How did the judges help resolve the naming dispute in Karnataka?
What action did the mother take after months of arguments with the father?
What principle did the Kerala High Court prioritize when naming the child in a similar case?
Why was the name suggested by the mother given priority in the Kerala case?
How do the Karnataka and Kerala cases reflect the role of the judiciary in resolving family disputes?

Discussion

How important is consensus between parents when naming a child?
Should legal systems intervene in family matters like naming disputes? Why or why not?
What cultural or emotional significance does naming hold for families in your view?
How can mediation help couples resolve disputes without resorting to courts?
Should courts consider the future implications of a name when resolving naming disputes?
How might unresolved disagreements between parents affect the well-being of a child?
What role does the concept of parens patriae play in family law?
Is it fair for courts to prioritize one parent’s preference over the other? Why or why not?
In cases of parental disputes, how can the welfare of the child be best ensured?
Can naming disputes be indicative of larger underlying issues in relationships?

Vocabulary

Impasse – A situation in which no progress is possible due to disagreement or a deadlock.
Naming Ceremony – A cultural or religious event where a child’s name is officially announced.
Separation – The process of ending a marriage or relationship temporarily or permanently.
Maintenance – Financial support paid by one person to another, often following a separation or divorce.
Amicably – In a friendly or peaceful manner.
Consensus – General agreement among a group or between individuals.
Parens Patriae – A legal principle where the state has authority to protect those unable to care for themselves, like children.
Paramount – More important than anything else; supreme.