Introducing Bill, a vocal Smriti IraniThe Minister for Women and Child Development made it clear that the bill seeks to do away with all existing laws, including “any custom, use or practice” governing the parties in relation to marriage. The move would involve bringing all relevant laws, including personal laws, in line with the amendments. These include the Indian Christian Marriage Act; Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act; Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act; Special Marriage Act; Hindu Marriage Act; and the Foreign Marriage Act.
Though Irani said that the Child Marriage Prohibition (Amendment) Bill, 2021 would be sent to the Parliamentary Standing Committee, the strong reaction of some on the opposition benches and their defiance gave an early idea of what could happen in the deliberations in the committee room. Glimpses provided. , the House and, most importantly, in the public sphere. Actually, before the introduction of the bill, the Prime Minister did Narendra Modi Attacking the opponents of the law at a public meeting of women in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj on Tuesday.
The opposing opposition members attacked the government for introducing the bill “early” and “without consultation with stakeholders” and demanded that the bill be referred to a standing committee.
Even as she said that the government would have sent the bill to the standing committee somehow, Irani asserted that the bill was a “decisive step” to achieve equality between the ages when men and women Could have married, which took 75 years to make. He scoffed at the allegation that the bill was communal. She stressed that it is a secular measure that “will apply equally to all religions, castes and creeds that override any practice or any law that seeks to discriminate against women”.
Irani corroborates her controversy by recalling Supreme courtComment in the case “Independent Thought v. Union of India”, 2010. she said the court had called her child marriage prevention act, 2006 A secular law. “…and from the point of view of Muslim Personal Law, Hindu Marriage Act and all other religions, castes and communities, women should have equal rights in terms of age of marriage,” she said.
“In a democracy, we are delaying by 75 years in providing equal rights to men and women to enter into marriage. Girls were married at the age of 10 in the 19th century, 12 to 14 years until 1940, and at the age of 15 until 1978. Through this amendment, for the first time, men and women will be able to take the decision of marriage at the age of 21 keeping in mind the right to equality.
Making a strong case for amendments, Irani cited the findings of the National Family Health Survey-5, which showed that 7% of girls aged 15 to 18 were found to be pregnant and about 23% of girls in their 20s – Married below 18 years of age in 24 age group. Citing research, he said that 20 lakh child marriages have been stopped from 2015 to 2020.
The Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Bill highlights how early marriage continues to be a concern. “The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 1929 was replaced by the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, to prohibit child marriage, but this highly harmful practice is still not completely eradicated from our society. Hence, this social There is an urgent need to tackle the issue and bring in reforms,” it said.
It is imperative to reduce maternal mortality and infant mortality, as well as improve nutritional levels and sex ratios at birth, as these will promote the possibilities of responsible parenthood for both fathers and mothers, giving them better care. will be able to do. their child, says Bill. “It is also important to reduce the incidence of teenage pregnancies, which are not only harmful to women’s overall health, but also result in more miscarriages and stillbirths.”
The amendment to the bill will be effective for two years from the date of assent of the President to provide adequate opportunities to all in collective efforts and inclusive growth and other provisions can be made effective immediately.
The Bill, which seeks to amend the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, provides that any person married before the legal age of marriage (21) can annul the marriage for up to five years instead of the two years currently provided. can demand. Law (18 years) from the time of attainment of majority.
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