Asaduddin Owaisi, the president of the AIMIM, has slammed the Narendra Modi government’s proposal to raise the minimum age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 years old, calling it “ridiculous.”
Both men and women, according to the Hyderabad MP, should be permitted to legally marry at the age of 18 because they are considered as adults by the law for all other purposes.
“This is the kind of paternalism we’ve come to expect from the government.” Men and women under the age of 18 can sign contracts, start businesses, choose Prime Ministers, and elect MPs and MLAs, but they cannot marry,” he remarked in a tweet.
“How come they have the ability to consent to sexual relationships and live-in partnerships but unable to choose their life partners?” He went on to say, “It’s just ridiculous.”
On Wednesday, the Union Cabinet approved a proposal to raise the minimum age for women to marry. The move, according to the administration, was made to protect women from malnutrition.
“If Modi was honest, he would have concentrated on expanding economic prospects for women,” Owaisi remarked. Despite this, India is the only country where women’s employment participation is declining. From a high of 26% in 2005, it has dropped to 16% in 2020.”
“Men and women are considered as adults at the age of 18 in the majority of situations. What makes you think marriage is any different? The legal age should not be used as a criterion; the primary purpose should be to ensure education, economic progress, and human development.”
He reminded out that the marriage age in certain US states is as low as 14. It is 16 in the United Kingdom and Canada. 16-19-year-olds in New Zealand can marry with parental authorization. Instead of imposing arbitrary age restrictions, these countries promoted young people’s human development so that they can make educated decisions, he said.
“It’s past time to stop thinking of young people as children for the rest of their lives. They should be given the freedom to think and make their own decisions. This is also why I’ve introduced a private members’ bill to allow 20-year-olds to run for Parliament and MLAs,” Owaisi added.
