New Delhi: Congress is facing problems with the union cabinet's resolution to increase the minimum age of marriage of girls from 18 to 21 years, so the party has now decided to oppose it. Congress feels that the motive behind the decision is highly questionable and motivated by politics. Talking to the media, AICC General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal said, the Modi government's proposal and the plan to raise the minimum age to 21 in a hurry is very questionable and politically motivated.
Venugopal said the government's proposal has also been strongly criticized by several women representatives and organizations. They have dismissed it as unscientific and unrealistic. Venugopal said, "Young women want steps for their educational and economic upliftment, especially in rural areas. Apparently, the Government has not held proper consultations with various stakeholders before bringing this proposal. Therefore, the Congress party is against any attempt by the government to push such a bill.''
The Congress leader further said that if the Modi government is really serious and committed to women empowerment, then instead, the long-pending Women's Reservation Bill should be brought in immediately. Reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Assembly seats should be provided in two-thirds of the seats. Venugopal said the government should initiate a comprehensive discussion on its proposal to increase the minimum age of marriage for women with various stakeholders including women representatives and organizations. Talking about political intentions, Venugopal said that the proposal has been brought only to divert attention from farmers' issues, Lakhimpur incidents, Union Minister Ajay.
Just a few days ago, the Central Government had taken a major decision to increase the age of marriage of girls from 18 to 21 years and also passed a resolution in the Cabinet in this regard. Earlier, PM Modi had also announced a proposal to increase the age of marriage of girls from 18 years to 21 years during his Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort on August 15, 2020. PM Modi had cited the reason behind this and said, "The government has been concerned about the health of daughters and sisters from the beginning. In order to protect daughters from malnutrition, it is necessary that they get married at the right age.''
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