New Delhi: The Congress Party has decided to oppose in Parliament any attempt by the Modi government to “rush through” a bill aimed at increasing the minimum age of marriage for women from 18 to 21, as the party thinks that the intent “is highly suspect and motivated”. It has flagged its reservations amid indication that the government may bring the bill early this week. The Congress move further firms up some other opposition parties’ opposition to the proposal and demand that the anticipated bill be sent for scrutiny by a standing committee.
Talking to ET on Sunday, AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal said: “The Modi government’s proposal, and its reported plan to hurriedly bring a bill in Parliament at the fag end of the winter session, to increase the minimum age of legal marriage for women to 21 is highly suspect and politically motivated. The government’s proposal has already evoked strong criticisms even from various women’s representatives and organisations, who have dismissed it as unscientific, unrealistic and ill-considered. What the young women, especially in rural areas, need is steps for their educational and economic upliftment. Clearly, the government had not held proper discussions with various stakeholders before taking up this proposal. Therefore, the Congress is against any attempt by the government to push through such a bill.”
Venugopal, a key political aide of the Gandhis, also lobbed a proposal to the government: “If the Modi government is indeed serious and committed to the cause of women empowerment, it should, instead, immediately bring up the long-pending Women’s Reservation Bill, proposing one-third reservation for women in the seats of the Lok Sabha and in state assemblies, for passing in Parliament rather than sitting on it.” The women’s quota bill, passed by the Rajya Sabha during the UPA-2 regime, requires the Lok Sabha’s approval.
He demanded that the government should initiate larger discussions on its proposal to increase the minimum age of marriage for women with various stakeholders including women’s representatives and organisations, rather than just trying to ram the bill through without scrutiny. Alleging political motives, he added: “The government’s timing and intention behind the proposal is also highly suspect and politically motivated. The government is only using this proposal to divert attention from the farmers’ issues, the Lakhimpur incidents, its patronage to Union minister Ajay Mishra and also from a whole range of real issues concerning the people including inflation, unemployment and those related to Covid-19.”
The SP, Left Parties, IUML, AIMIM too are among parties who have already opposed the proposal. Some Muslim outfits too have opposed it, alleging intrusion into their personal laws. The bill could trigger a government-opposition conflict in Parliament. Given that the situation in the Rajya Sabha is already volatile over the suspension of 12 opposition MPs, the current move could add to the conflict.
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