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The Lok Sabha on Tuesday, 21 December, sent the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021, introduced in Lok Sabha by Union Minister Smriti Irani, to the Parliamentary Standing Committee for detailed scrutiny.
The government’s intention to send the Bill to the panel was announced by Irani, who had introduced the Bill amid protests by Opposition members.
The Bill will increase the age of marriage for women from 18 years to 21 years.
As she introduced the amendment Bill, Irani said, “I would like to present that women equality in our country needs to be seen in (terms of) age of marriage. Invoking different marriage laws of different faiths, I rise to introduce the amendment bill.”
Several MPs in the Lower House of Parliament opposed the introduction of the Bill, asking for more scrutiny and demanding that it be sent to the Standing Committee.
After the Bill was introduced, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury commented on Bills being passed in haste in the house, saying, "We'd 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."
Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy also raised his voice against the Bill, saying, "I oppose the way in which the government has brought the Bill in a hurry. This Bill needs total discussion among all stakeholders. The minority people are totally opposed to this Bill."
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi meanwhile called it a retrogressive amendment, saying it is against the right to freedom under Article 19.
Meanwhile, DMK MP Kanimozhi said that "except for Women's Reservation Bill, Government doesn't believe in consulting anybody. It's very important that such an important Bill has to be sent to Standing Committee or Select Committee and they have to review it and ask for opinions in civil society and then bring the Bill."
Countering the opposition raised over the bill, Irani said:
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Published: 21 Dec 2021,03:38 PM IST