Union Cabinet Minister for Women & Child Development, Smriti Irani introduced The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in Lok Sabha today. The Bill is to increase the age of marriage of women from 18 years to 21 years.
She said that “women equality" in India requires to be seen in "age of marriage." “Invoking different marriage laws of different faiths, I rise to introduce the amendment bill,” she added.
The Bill is likely to be sent to Parliamentary committee for scrutiny after introduction.
Opposition leaders launched attacks on the cabinet for unruly passing of bills, calling out the Central government for invoking one's right to freedom. The opposition leaders slammed the Centre for introducing the bill without discussions.
"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", leader of Opposition and Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said
"Retrogressive amendment. It's against right to freedom under Art 19. An 18-yr-old can choose a PM, can have a live-in relationship but you are denying right to marriage. What have you done for 18-yr-old? Women labour force participation in India lower than Somalia", Asaduddin Owaisi said.
"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", TMC MP Saugata Roy said.
Meanwhile, Opposition leaders on Tuesday took out a protest march here demanding that action be taken against Union Minister Ajay Mishra in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi saying they will not rest till the minister is sent to jail.
Leaders of several opposition parties took out the march from Gandhi statue inside Parliament complex to Vijay Chowk demanding that the minister, whose son has been arrested in the Lakhimpur violence case, be immediately sacked.
They also demanded that the suspension of their 12 MPs be immediately revoked.
MPs of various parties raised slogans against the government and held placards and banners demanding the immediate sacking of the minister.
