Women Marriage Bill: Know why Congress and Muslim Leaders are against this bill

The plan to raise legal age was mentioned by Prime Minister Modi during his Independence Day speech last year.

 legal age of marriage, Union Cabinet approved bill, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, maternal age, Maternal Mortality Rate, nutritional levels, Congress and other political parties, India news- True Scoop
The Union Cabinet approved a proposal to raise the legal age of marriage for women from 18 to 21, the same as it is for men on December 15. This approval comes over a year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the proposal on India's Independence Day, in the year 2020.

The proposal is based on the suggestions of a task force established by the Centre to look into concerns such as maternal age, the imperatives of lowering MMR (Maternal Mortality Rate), nutritional levels, and other linked issues."

The plan was mentioned by Prime Minister Modi during his Independence Day speech last year.

"The health of daughters and sisters is a constant concern for our government. To protect the daughters from malnutrition, they must marry at the appropriate age," said PM Modi.

Currently, for men, the legal age to get married is 21, while for women, it is 18.

Congress and other political parties have been opposing this bill. Parties are demanding that this potential bill should be sent to the Standing Committee for review. Congress is questioning the government’s motivation in bringing such legislation.

KC Venugopal said, "In the last days of the winter session, the Modi government is looking at the hurry to bring a bill in Parliament to raise the age of marriage of women to 21 years, doubts and politics. What the young women, especially in rural areas, need is steps for their educational and economic upliftment. Clearly, the government had not held proper discussions with various stakeholders before taking up this proposal. Therefore, Congress is against any attempt by the government to push through such a bill."

He said that the government should consult with various women's public representatives and organizations before bringing a bill to raise the minimum age of marriage for women to 21 years. 


Many Muslim organizations in Kerala have criticized the union government’s move. Muslim League leader E T Mohammad Basheer said, “We will oppose this. The government is trying to implement the Sangh Parivar’s favourite agenda of uniform civil code. The Muslim personal law board clearly defines marriage, divorce and the right to property. These issues relate to our faith.”

But the apex body of Christians, Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) welcomed this decision.

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