Amid objection by opposition, govt tables Bill in Lok Sabha to raise legal age of marriage of women to 21 years

Dec. 21: Union Cabinet Minister for Women & Child Development, Smriti Irani introduced ‘The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021’ in Lok Sabha on Tuesday. The Bill is to increase the age of marriage of women from 18 years to 21 years. Introducing the bill, Smriti Irani said, “We’re, in a democracy, 75 yrs late in providing equal rights to men & women to enter into matrimony. Through this amendment, for the first time men and women will be able to make a decision on marriage at the age of 21, keeping in mind the right to equality.”

The opposition objected to the government circulating the bill only minutes before the introduction. Taking a dig at the government, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi said, “Retrogressive amendment. It’s against right to freedom under Art 19. An 18-yr-old can choose a PM, can have a live-in relationship but you are denying right to marriage. What have you done for 18-yr-old? Women labour force participation in India lower than Somalia.”

Saugata Roy of TMC also vehemently opposed the bill and said that the Bill needs total discussion among all stakeholders. “We’d like to advise the Govt that mistakes happen when work is done in haste. A lot of discussions is being done in India over this matter. Govt has neither spoken to any stakeholder nor consulted any state. We demand that the Bill be referred to Standing Committee,” stated Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury of the Congress party.

Expressing her views, Kanimozhi of DMK said, “It’s very important that such an imp Bill has to be sent to Standing Committee or Select Committee & they’ve to review it & ask for opinions in civil society & then bring the Bill: Kanimozhi.”