Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has said that his government will ask the Governor, Kalraj Mishra to return the Rajasthan Compulsory Registration of Marriages (Amendment) Bill, 2021, that had sparked a lot of controversy for allegedly promoting child marriages.
He said, “The state government is working with a strong will for the complete eradication of child marriage in the state. We have a strong resolve that child marriage should not take place in the state and the government will not make any compromise in this regard.” He further tweeted that he will request the governor to return the bill for further consultation.
अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय बालिका दिवस पर निवास पर आयोजित राज्य स्तरीय समारोह को संबोधित किया।
प्रदेश में बाल विवाह के सम्पूर्ण उन्मूलन के लिए राज्य सरकार दृढ़ इच्छाशक्ति से काम कर रही है। हमारा मजबूत संकल्प है कि प्रदेश में बाल विवाह न हो और इस संबंध में कोई समझौता सरकार नहीं करेगी।
1/2— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) October 11, 2021
The amendment to the 2009 Act passed by the Rajasthan government lays down that a marriage between a groom who has not completed 21 years, and a bride who has not completed 18 years of age, could be registered by the “parents or guardians” within 30 days of the marriage.
The 2009 Act made the registration of child marriage mandatory, with the only difference being, that under the proposed amendment bill, if a girl is 18 or above the age of 18, it would be her duty to submit the memorandum of her marriage, while as of now, it is the duty of her parents to do so.
Going by the 2009 act, the parents or guardians of both parties (bride and groom) were supposed to submit the memorandum for registration if they had not completed the age of 21. The amendment bill allows the differentiation of age, where the 18-year-old (and above) bride will be allowed to register her marriage, if this becomes the new law.
Despite opposition, the bill was passed in September. Soon after, the apex child rights body, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), had agreed to examine the new bill “to protect the interest of children”. The bill has already been challenged before the supreme court.
This decision of this reconsideration interestingly coincides with International day of the girl child. Gehlot also tweeted on October 11, “On International Day of Girl Child, let’s renew our commitment to provide the best environment for the development of girls and increase awareness about the importance of nutritious diet, education and safe environment for them. Our effort is also to provide equal rights and opportunities to girls.”
On International Day of Girl Child, let’s renew our commitment to provide best environment for development of girls & increase awareness about importance of nutritious diet,education & safe environment for them. Our effort is also to provide equal rights & opportunities to girls.
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) October 11, 2021
Related:
Rajasthan: New marriage registration bill legitimises child marriage?
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