New Delhi (21/12/2021): Union Cabinet Minister for Women & Child Development, Smriti Irani introduces The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in Lok Sabha.
The Bill is to increase the age of marriage of women from 18 years to 21 years.
“We’d like to advise the Govt that mistakes happen when work is done in haste. A lot of discussions is being done in India over this matter. Govt has neither spoken to any stakeholder nor consulted any state. We demand that the Bill be referred to Standing Committee,” AR Chowdhury said during the introduction of the bill.
TMC also opposed the bill and said it has been brought in a haste.
“I oppose the way in which the Govt has brought the Bill in a hurry. This Bill needs total discussion among all stakeholders. The minority people are totally opposed to this Bill,” said Saugata Roy, TMC MP.
NCP also expressed similar sentiments and blamed government for not consulting the government.
“It’s the 2nd or 3rd time consecutively, they’re aggressively bringing Bills & nobody from Oppn is consulted. Whatever is discussed in Business Advisory Committee is never implemented on floor of House. I want to condemn this new practice which this govt is doing,” Supriya Sule, NCP.
Union Minister Smriti however said that it was a step towards providing equal right to men and women. “We’re, in a democracy, 75 yrs late in providing equal rights to men & women to enter into matrimony. Through this amendment, for the first time men and women will be able to make a decision on marriage at the age of 21, keeping in mind the right to equality,” Union Min Smriti Irani said.
