Letter to the Readers, Mainstream, Aug 31, 2024

Letter to the Readers

India remains a conservative society is also reflected in the stance of our lawmakers across the political spectrum. On August 27, 2024, the Himachal Pradesh Assembly passed a bill brought in by the ruling Congress Party raising the marriage age for women from 18 to 21 years. This is a socially regressive move that mimics a bill proposed earlier by the Modi Government (The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021) but which lapsed. The age of marriage for adult women and men should be the same and there should be no discrimination in this regard. Under the Indian Majority Act, 1875, a person attains the age of majority upon completing 18 years of age. Indian society has had the tendency to infantilise adults, we see this already at the university where young adults are often referred to as ’bacchey’ or kids. The autonomy of young adults and in particular women is constantly under undue social control. Restricting the choice of young people to live together or to marry even when they are legally adults is a sign of an undemocratic society. Despite the Supreme Court of India clearly stating that the right to marry is a fundamental right we have seen this right under constant control of family hierarchy that over-ride personal choices of young adults. We have seen inter-faith marriages between consenting adults being called into question which should be totally illegal. Discrimination against women runs in the blood-stream of our society which should be fought socially. The move to raise the age of marriage in Himachal should be challenged in the courts and the Congress party leadership should be petitioned by members and citizens to reverse this wrong.

August 31, 2024 —HK