Bill to increase marriage age for women introduced in LS; Cong wants it to be referred to Standing Committee

Through the amendment, men and women will be able to decide on marriage at the age of 21, keeping in mind the right to equality

New Delhi: Union Cabinet Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani on Tuesday (December 21) introduced The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in Lok Sabha. 

The bill seeks to increase the age of marriage of women from 18 years to 21 years. While introducing the marriage bill, the Union Minister, in her remarks, said, "We are, in a democracy, 75 years late in providing equal rights to men and women to enter into matrimony. Through this amendment, for the first time, men and women will be able to decide on marriage at the age of 21, keeping in mind the right to equality." 

Meanwhile, Opposition leaders criticised the Centre for introducing the bill. Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury demanded that the bill should be referred to Standing Committee. "We would like to advise the government that mistakes happen when work is done in haste. A lot of discussions is being done in India over this matter. The government has neither spoken to any stakeholder nor consulted any state. We demand that the bill be referred to Standing Committee," said Chowdhury. 

(With inputs from ANI)