NEW DELHI: Sanskritik Gaurav Sansthan on July 30, 2026 organised a National Seminar on “Adolescent Consensual Relationships: Medical, Psychological, Social & Legal Perspectives” at the Deputy Chairman Hall, Constitution Club of India, New Delhi. The seminar brought together eminent experts from the judiciary, medicine, psychology, education and law to deliberate on the growing challenges relating to adolescent relationships in contemporary India.
The distinguished panel comprised Justice Vineet Saran, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India; Shri Alok Kumar, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India; Prof. Dr. Rajendra K. Dhamija, Director, IHBAS, New Delhi; Sadhvi Pragya Bharti, Spiritual Leader; and Dr. Surendra Jain, noted Educationist.
The seminar was presided over by Shri Kapil Khanna, President, Sanskritik Gaurav Sansthan, and moderated by Dr. Animesh Jha, Professor, Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur.
Strong Consensus: Age of Consent Must Remain 18 Years
After extensive deliberations, the panel reached a broad consensus that the present age of consent should not be altered from 18 years. The experts observed that adolescence is a period of emotional and psychological development, and the existing legal framework serves as an important safeguard against exploitation, coercion and abuse.
The panel unanimously emphasised that the solution lies not in reducing the age of consent but in strengthening families, value-based education, counselling and effective implementation of existing laws.
Key Recommendations by the Panelists
Justice Vineet Saran
Justice Saran observed that the law must continue to prioritise the protection of minors and maintain consistency with the legal age of majority. He emphasised that while courts may consider the facts of individual cases with sensitivity, the statutory age of consent at 18 years should remain unchanged in the larger public interest.
Shri Alok Kumar
Shri Alok Kumar stated that any dilution of the age of consent could weaken the legal safeguards available to children. He recommended that implementation of child protection laws should be balanced and sensitive, while ensuring that vulnerable adolescents remain fully protected.
Prof Dr Rajendra K Dhamija
Prof. Dhamija explained that scientific evidence clearly shows that adolescents continue to undergo significant emotional, neurological and psychological development until adulthood. He stressed that mental health support, counselling and family guidance are far more effective responses than lowering the age of consent.
Sadhvi Pragya Bharti
Sadhvi Pragya Bharti emphasised that India’s cultural ethos has always recognised character, self-restraint and family values as the foundation of a healthy society. She urged that moral education, spiritual awareness and respect for relationships should once again become an integral part of children’s upbringing.
Dr Surendra Jain
Dr Surendra Jain highlighted the crucial role of schools and educational institutions in shaping responsible citizens. He recommended integrating value-based education, life skills, emotional intelligence and ethical conduct into mainstream education to prepare adolescents for responsible adulthood.
Importance of Indian Moral Values
The seminar strongly emphasised that laws alone cannot address the growing social challenges concerning adolescents. The participants collectively recommended that India should strengthen its traditional family system and promote moral values rooted in responsibility, respect, discipline and mutual trust.
The panel advocated greater parental engagement, structured adolescent counselling, digital literacy, mental health awareness and culturally rooted value education to build a healthier and more responsible society.
President’s Remarks
In his presidential address, Kapil Khanna said that India’s civilisational wisdom teaches a balance between rights and responsibilities. He stated that protecting adolescents is a collective responsibility of families, educational institutions, policymakers and society. He emphasised that preserving the age of consent at 18 years, while strengthening Indian cultural values and family guidance, is essential for the holistic development and safety of the nation’s youth.
Major Recommendations of the Seminar
● The age of consent should continue to remain at 18 years.
● Existing child protection laws should be implemented with fairness and sensitivity.
● Indian moral values and family institutions should be strengthened.
● Value-based education should become an essential component of school and college curricula.
● Parents should be encouraged to maintain open communication with adolescents.
● Counselling and mental health services for young people should be expanded.
● Digital safety and responsible use of social media should receive greater policy attention.
● Public awareness initiatives should promote responsible behaviour, respect for relationships and ethical decision-making among adolescents.
The organisers announced that the recommendations emerging from the seminar would be compiled into a policy document and submitted to the concerned Ministries, Members of Parliament, the Law Commission, child rights institutions and other relevant stakeholders for consideration.
