A PROJECT REPORT ON
“CHILD MARRIAGE IN INDIA”
Submitted by, Rishabh singh, Roll no!"#!$" Se%& Sem'(d
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CERTIFICATE
I, M()RISHA&H) *ith Reg+No)!"#!$") - )III(d ) Semeste( has .(e.a(ed the .(o/e%t on) “%hild ma((iage in india”))))))))) In .a(tial -ul-ilment o- his0he( semeste( %ou(se in the sub/e%t ) “1AMIL2 “1AMIL2 LA3 LA3”))) ”))) du(ing the a%ademi% yea( !"#'#4 unde( my su.e(5ision and guidan%e+
Signatu(e o- -a%ulty
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I o*e a g(eat many than6s to a g(eat many .eo.le *ho hel.ed and su..o(ted me du(ing the %om.letion o- the .(o/e%t+ My dee.est than6s to Le%tu(e( D(+ Sudha 6a5u(i , the Guide o- the .(o/e%t -o( guiding and %o((e%ting 5a(ious do%uments o- mine *ith attention and %a(e+ He has ta6en .ain to go th(ough the .(o/e%t and ma6e ne%essa(y ne%essa( y %o((e%tion as and *hen needed+I *ould also than6 my Institution and my -a%ulty membe(s *ithout *hom this .(o/e%t *ould ha5e been a distant (eality+ I also e7tend my hea(t-elt than6s to my -amily and *ell*ishe(s+
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INTRODUCTION Child ma((iage in India has be%ome a ma/o( issue in the %ount(y li6e India+ Child ma((iage, de-ined as ma((iage be-o(e age #8, de5astates the li5es o- the gi(ls, thei( -amilies and thei( %ommunities+ 3ides.(ead in many %ount(ies, hal- o- the gi(ls a(e ma((ied be-o(e they tu(n #8+ 9his .(o/e%t deals *ith the 5a(ious a(eas o- %hild ma((iages *hi%h ta6es .la%e in India+ Child ma((iage usually (e-e(s so%ial .henomena .(a%ti%ed in some so%ieties in India, *he(e a young %hild :usually a gi(l belo* the age o- -i-teen; is ma((ied to an adult man+ A se%ond -o(m o- .(a%ti%e o- %hild ma((iage is that in *hi%h the .a(ents o- the t*o %hild(en :the gi(l and boy; a((ange a -utu(e ma((iage, in this .(a%ti%e, the indi5iduals :the boy < gi(l; do not meet one anothe( until they (ea%h the ma((iageable age, *hen the *edding %e(emony is .e(-o(med+ As .e( la*, the ma((iageable age is !# -o( males and #8 -o( -emales+ &=EC9I>ES 1 9HE S9?D2@ 9his .(o/e%t lays em.hasis on the .(oblem o- %hild ma((iage in India *hi%h is an e5il to the so%iety+ Child ma((iage in India is .(a%tised sin%e an%ient histo(y times+ 9hough go5e(nment ha5e .assed many a%t and la*s to sto. %hild ma((iages but still it is .(a%tised in some .a(ts o- the no(the(n .a(ts o- the %ount(y li6e Ra/asthan, Gu/a(at, et%+ but still it is ha..ening+ 9his .(o/e%t has (aised the hidden issue o- %hild ma((iage, main (easo (eason n -o( -o( %hild %hild ma(( ma((iag iage, e, nega negati ti5e 5e %ons %onse eue uen% n%es es o- %hil %hild d ma((i ma((iag age, e, and and nega negati ti5e 5e %onse %onseuen uen%es %es o- %hild %hild ma((iag ma((iage, e, ea(ly ea(ly %hildh %hildhood ood .(egna .(egnan%y n%y and b(ea6d b(ea6do*n o*n o- so%ial so%ial institution li6e -amily *hi%h (esult in di5o(%e et%+ SCBE@ 9his .a.e( analyses the 5a(ious la*s in India (elating to the .(ohibition o- %hild ma((i ma((iag agee and and the the la*s la*s (ulin (uling g and and %ont %ont(o (oll llin ing g su%h su%h a%ti5 a%ti5it ities ies++ Many Many sugg sugges esti tion onss and and (e%ommendations a(e mentioned in the .(o/e%t to %u(b the .(oblem o- %hild ma((iage in India+ RESEARCH ME9HDLG2@ ME9HDLG2@ 9he (esea(%h methodology used is mainly em.i(i%al e m.i(i%al one and boo6s and mainly the inte(net sou(%es *ould be be used as the .(ime sou(%e o- in-o(mation+
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PROBLEM OF CHILD MARRIAGE 9he ?ni5e(sal De%la(ation De%la(ation o- Human Rights, Rights, the Con5entio Con5ention n on the Rights o- the Child, the Con5ention on the Elimination o- All 1o(ms o- Dis%(imination Against 3omen and the Con5ention Against Against 9o(tu(e 9o(tu(e and the( C(uel, Inhuman o( Deg(ading 9(eatment o( Bunishment :among othe( %ha(te(s and %on5entions; all di(e%tly o( indi(e%tly -o(bid the deg(ading and mist(eatment o- gi(ls inhe(ent in %hild ma((iage+ Ne5e(theless, %hild ma((iage is %ommon in many .a(ts o.- the *o(ld, %laiming millions o- 5i%tims annuallyand hund(eds o- thousands o- in/u(ies o( death (esulting -(om abuse o( %om.li%ations -(om .(egnan%y and %hildbi(th+ Facts about Chil Ma!!ia"# $
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A%%o(ding to the Inte(national Cente( -o( Resea(%h on 3omen :ICR3;, #"" million gi(ls *ill be ma((ied be-o(e the age o- #8 in the %oming de%ade+ Most *ill be in sub Saha(an A-(i%a and the Asian Sub%ontinent+ In Nige(a, -o( e7am.le, o- *omen in thei( ea(ly !"s *e(e ma((ied as %hild(en+ In &angladesh, F *e(e+ Child ma((iage also o%%u(s in .a(ts o- the Middle East, in%luding 2emen 2emen and the (u(al Magh(eb+
In the ?nited States, %hild ma((iage is still .e(missible in some states, *ith .a(ental o( /udi%ial %onsent+
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Globally, a%%o(ding to ?NICE1, ' o- *omen aged !"!4 *e(e ma((ied o( in a union, -o(%ed o( %onsensual, be-o(e theyd (ea%hed #8+
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An estimated #4 million gi(ls bet*een the ages o- #F and #$ gi5e bi(th ea%h e a%h yea(+ 9hey 9hey a(e t*i%e mo(e li6ely to die du(ing .(egnan%y o( %hildbi(th than *omen in thei( !"s+
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Gi(ls *ho ma((y bet*een the ages o- #" and #4 a(e -i5e times as li6ely to die du(ing .(egnan%y o( %hildbi(th as *omen in thei( thei( ea(ly !"s+
1Pierre Tristam Child Marriage: Facts, Causes and Consequences (november 12 th 05:2 !m " htt!:##middleeast$about$com#od#humanrightsdemocrac%#a#child& brides$htm 5
I%%UE OF CHILD MARRIAGE IN INDIA
Child ma((iage in India has be%ome a ma/o( issue in the %ount(y li6e India+ Child ma((iage, de-ined as ma((iage be-o(e age #8, de5astates the li5es o- gi(ls, thei( -amilies and thei( %ommunities+ 3ides.(ead in many de5elo.ing %ount(ies, %hild b(ides numbe( mo(e than " million million *o(ld*ide+ *o(ld*ide+ In some %ount(ies, %ount(ies, hal- o- the gi(ls a(e ma((ied be-o(e they tu(n #8+1i(st o- all *e should %ome to 6no* the de-inition o- %hild o( age o- %hild -o( being (est(ained -(om ma((iage+ A%%o(ding to Chid Ma((iage B(ohibition A%t, !"" ! a; “Child” means a .e(son *ho, i- a male, has not %om.leted t*enty one yea( o- age, and i- a -emale, has not %om.leted eighteen yea(s o- age :b; “%hild ma((iage” means a ma((iage to *hi%h eithe( o- the %ont(a%ting .a(ties is a %hild :%; “%ont(a%ting .a(ty” to a ma((iage means eithe( o- the .a(ties *hose ma((iage is :o( is about to be; the(eby solemnised and :d; “mino(” means a .e(son o- eithe( se7 *ho is unde( eighteen yea(s o- age+ 9his 9his ha(m ha(m-u -ull t(ad t(adit itio iona nall .(a% .(a%ti ti%e %e o- %hil %hild d ma(( ma((ia iage ge is most most %omm %ommon on in .oo( .oo(,, (u(a (u(all %ommunities, and its %onseuen%es only .e(.etuate the %y%le o- .o5e(ty+ Mo(e o-ten than not, %hild b(ides a(e .ulled out o- s%hool, de.(i5ing them o- an edu%ation and meaning-ul *o(6+ 9hey su--e( health (is6s asso%iated *ith ea(ly se7ual a%ti5ity and %hildbea(ing, leading to high (ates o- mate(nal and %hild mo(tality as *ell as se7ually t(ansmitted in-e%tions, in%luding HI>+ And they a(e mo(e li6ely to be 5i%tims o- domesti% 5iolen%e, se7ual abuse and so%ial isolation+ 9hough %hild ma((iage is ent(en%hed in t(adition and %ultu(e, %hange is .ossible+ >e(y o-ten, gi(ls and thei( .a(ents *ant to delay ma((iage but la%6 o.tions+ Go5e(nments and %ommunities a(e a(e a%ti5 a%ti5ely ely *o(6 *o(6in ing g to dis% dis%ou ou(ag (agee the the .(a%t .(a%ti% i%ee by (aisi (aising ng a*a(e a*a(ene ness ss o- the the ad5e ad5e(se (se %onse %onseuen uen%es %es -o( gi(ls, gi(ls, (unnin (unning g .(og(a .(og(ams ms that that .(o5id .(o5idee gi(ls gi(ls *ith *ith 5iable 5iable alte(na alte(nati5 ti5es es to 2 ('ovember 12th 5:34!m"htt!:##cd$nic$in#cma200)$!d* 5:34!m"htt!:##cd$nic$in#cma200)$!d* )
ma((iage, and demanding mo(e e--e%ti5e en-o(%ement o- e7isting la*s that %ondemn %hild ma((iage+ 3ith the (ight mi7 o- e--e%ti5e .(og(ams, .oli%ies and .oliti%al *ill, millions o- gi(ls *ill ha5e the o..o(tunity to -ul-ill thei( .otential+
FACT% AND FIGURE% ABOUT CHILD MARRIAGE IN INDIA Be(%entage o- gi(ls getting ma((ied be-o(e the age o- eighteen in di--e(ent states is ala(ming Madhya B(adesh ' Ra/asthan 8 ?B 4 Andh(a B(adesh # &iha( A%%o(ding to ?NICE1s “State o- the 3o(lds Child(en!""$” (e.o(t, 4 o- IndiaJs *omen aged !"!4 *e(e ma((ied be-o(e the legal age o- #8, *ith F in (u(al a(ea+ As .e( the ?NICE1 :KState o- the 3o(lds Child(en!""$; (e.o(t 4" o- the *o(ldJs %hild ma((iages o%%u( in India+' CAU%E% OF CHILD MARRIAGE&
Child ma((iage has many %auses@ %ultu(al, so%ial, e%onomi% and (eligious+ In many %ases, a mi7tu(e o- these %auses (esults in the im.(isonment o- %hild(en in ma((iages *ithout thei( %onsent+
3+aesh Mishra, essa% on sto! child marriages('ovember ma rriages('ovember 11,3:05!m" htt!:##$indg$in 4 -bhinav .iari, /ssa% on Child Marriage in ndia('ovember 11,4:02 !m" htt!:##$!reservearticles$com
Po'#!t() Boo( -amilies sell thei( %hild(en into ma((iage eithe( to settle debts o( to ma6e some
money and es%a.e the %y%le o- .o5e(ty+ Child ma((iage -oste(s .o5e(ty, ho*e5e(, as it ensu(es that gi(ls *ho ma((y young *ill not be .(o.e(ly edu%ated o( ta6e .a(t in the *o(6-o(%e+ *P!ot#cti+", *P!ot#cti+", th# "i!l-s s#.ualit() In %e(tain %ultu(es, ma((ying a gi(l young .(esumes that the
gi(lJs se7uality, se7uality, the(e-o(e the gi(lJs -amilyJs honou(, honou(, *ill be “.(ote%ted” “.(ote%ted” but ensu(ing ensu(ing that the gi(l ma((ies as a 5i(gin+ 9he im.osition o- -amily honou( on a gi(ls indi5iduality, in essen%e (obbing the gi(l o- he( honou( and dignity, unde(mines the %(edibility o- -amily honou( and instead unde(s%o(es the .(esumed .(ote%tionJs a%tual aim@ to %ont(ol the gi(l+ G#+#! isc!i/i+atio+) Child ma((iage is a .(odu%t o- %ultu(es that de5alue *omen and gi(ls
and dis%(iminate against them+ “9he dis%(imination,” a%%o(ding to a ?NICE1 (e.o(t on “Child Ma((iage and the La*,” “o-ten mani-ests itsel- in the -o(m o- domesti% 5iolen%e, ma(ital (a.e, and de.(i5ation o- -ood, la%6 o- a%%ess to in-o(mation, edu%ation, health%a(e, and gene(al im.ediments to mobility+” mobility+” I+a#0uat# la1s) in many %ount(ies su%h as in India the(e a(e la*s against %hild ma((iage but
they a(e not en-o(%ed e n-o(%ed .(o.e(ly+ T!a22ic3i+") Boo( -amilies a(e tem.ted to sell thei( gi(ls not /ust into ma((iage, but into
.(ostitution, as the t(ansa%tion enables la(ge sums o- money to %hange hands+ 9his thing is 5e(y %ommon in .oo( 5illage .eo.le es.e%ially o- India+
INDI4IDUAL RIGHT% DENIED B5 CHILD MARRIAGE
9he Con5ention on the Rights o- the Child is designed to gua(antee %e(tain indi5idual (ights *hi%h a(e abused by ea(ly ma((iage+ Rights unde(mined o( lost by %hild(en -o(%ed to ma((y ea(ly a(e@F
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9he (ight to an edu%ation+
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9he (ight to be .(ote%ted -(om .hysi%al and mental 5iolen%e, in/u(y o( abuse, in%luding se7ual abuse, (a.e and se7ual e7.loitation+
5 Monisha -garal, hort /ssa% on Child Marriage('ovember 12th , ):00!m", htt!:##$share%ouressa%s$com
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9he (ight to the en/oyment o- the highest attainable standa(d o- health+
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9he (ight to (est and leisu(e, and to .a(ti%i.ate -(eely in %ultu(al li-e+
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9he (ight to not be se.a(ated -(om .a(ents against the %hildJs *ill+
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9he (ight to .(ote%tion against all -o(ms o- e7.loitation a--e%ting any as.e%t o- the %hilds *el-a(e+
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9he (ight to e5entual em.loyment+
#+ Cases Cases o- %hil %hild d ma(( ma((iag iagee has has been been seen %(iti% %(iti%all ally y high high in state statess li6e li6e Ra/a Ra/asth sthan an,, ?tta ?tta( ( B(adesh and Ha(yana+ !+ Demog(a.hi% Demog(a.hi%ally ally and Health Health su(5eys su(5eys indi%ate indi%ate that about about '8 *omen *omen aged aged !"!4 !"!4 yea(s o- age in F" least de5elo.ed %ount(ies *e(e ma((ied belo* #8 yea(s o- age+ '+ Ma((ied Ma((ied gi(ls gi(ls a(e many many times mo(e mo(e li6ely to ha5e ha5e had un.(ote%t un.(ote%ted ed se7ual se7ual (elation (elationss than se7ually a%ti5e unma((ied 4+ La*s La*s go5e( go5e(nin ning g Child Child ma((iag ma((iagee a(e a(e a; Con5en Con5entio tion n on on the the Right Rightss o- Child Child b; Con5ention on the elimination o- all 1o(ms 1o(ms o- Dis%(imination against *omen F+ ?nde( the B(ohibition o- Child Ma((iages A%t, *hoe5e( .e(-o(ms, %ondu%ts, di(e%ts o( abets any %hild ma((iage is .unishable *ith (igo(ous im.(isonment u. to t*o yea(s and -ine *hi%h may e7tend to one la6h (u.ees+ 9he A%t says that %hild ma((iage %an be de%la(ed de%la (ed illegal only at the o.tion o- %ont(a%ting .a(ty being a %hild+
+ 9he Minist(y o- 3omen and Child(en A--ai(s is ma6ing .(og(ess in in%(easing *omenJs edu%ation and em.loyment o..o(tunities+ 9his, %ombined *ith s.e%i-i% edu%ation about %hild ma((iage and %oo.e(ation *ith (eligious leade(s, is ho.ed to de%(ease %hild ma((iage+ MAIN FEATURE% OF THE *PROHIBITION *PROHIBITI ON OF CHILD MARRIAGE ACT6 7889,
9he ne* B(ohibition o- Child Ma((iage A%t, !"" :he(ea-te( BCMA; b(ings about -a( (ea%hing %hanges in the la* as unde(@ Se%tion ' o- this A%t states that “%hild ma((iages shall be 5oidable at the o.tion o- the %ont(a%ting .a(ty *ho *as a %hild at the time o- the ma((iage+” It allo*s -o( a .etition to be -iled de%la(ing the ma((iage 5oid *ithin ! yea(s o- the %hild attaining ma/o(ity+ Ho*e5e(, sin%e a gi(l is su..osed su..osed to attain ma/o(ity ma/o(ity at the age o- #8 and a boy at the age o- !#, the gi(l %an -ile a .etition till she be%omes !" yea(s o- age and a boy till he be%omes !' yea(s o- age+ 9he A%t also allo*s -o( maintenan%e and (esiden%e -o( the gi(l till he( (ema((iage -(om the male %ont(a%ting .a(ty o( his .a(ents+ It -u(the( allo*s -o( a..(o.(iate o(de(s -o( %ustody -o( any %hild bo(n -(om the ma((iage+ All the .unishments -o( %ont(a%ting a %hild ma((iage ha5e been enhan%ed+ 9he .unishment -o( a male o5e( #8 yea(s o- age has been enhan%ed to (igo(ous im.(isonment o- u. to ! yea(s o( *ith a -ine u. to Rs+ # la6h o( both+ A simila( .unishment is .(es%(ibed -o( anyone *ho .e(-o(ms, %ondu%ts, di(e%ts o( abets any %hild ma((iage+ 9he 9he same same .unishm .unishment ent is also .(es%(ibe .(es%(ibed d -o( anyone anyone *ho solemnie solemniess a %hild %hild ma((iag ma((iagee in%luding by .(omoting su%h a ma((iage, .e(mitting it to be solemnied o( negligently -ailing to .(e5ent the ma((iage+ No *oman %an ho*e5e( be .unished *ith im.(isonment+ 9he A%t also ma6es all o--en%es %ogniable and nonbailable+
)ig re!orter, child marriage las in ndia('ovember 1 12 2th 0):5!m" www.lawisgreek.com 10
9he A%t -u(the( allo*s -o( in/un%tions to .(ohibit %hild ma((iages in%luding e7 .a(te inte(im in/un%tions+ It states that any %hild ma((iage solemnied in %ont(a5ention o- an in/un%tion o(de( *ill be 5oid+ 9he Ru6hmabai %ase in Maha(asht(a and Bhulmonee %ase in &engal as they a(e .o.ula(ly 6no*n (aised signi-i%ant uestions about the age and issue o- %onsent in Hindu ma((iage+ &oth the %ases ma(6ed the tension bet*een the Hindu o(thodo7y on one hand that u.held %hild %hild ma((iag ma((iagee and .e(%ei5ed .e(%ei5ed any o..osit o..osition ion to it as an a--(on a--(ontt to t(aditio t(adition n and so%ial (e-o(me( (e-o(me(ss o..osi o..osing ng su%h su%h (eligio (eligious us bigot(y bigot(y on the othe( othe( hand+ hand+ 1o( the latte( latte( su%h su%h blind blind adhe(en%e to so%ial no(ms meant the %ontinuation o- ha(m-ul .(a%ti%es in the name o- t(adition and the(e-o(e ne%essitated immediate %hallenge o- su%h so%ially san%tioned .(a%ti%es in%lud in%luding ing %hild %hild ma((iag ma((iage+ e+ 3hile 3hile the debate debate on %hild %hild ma((iag ma((iagee is o-ten o-ten unde(st unde(stood ood as a t(aditionmode(nity di%hotomy, it is also im.o(tant to b(ing to the -o(e the st(uggle by *omen themsel5es in these %ases to %hallenge .at(ia(%hal 5alues and .(a%ti%es, albeit in thei( limited *ays+
ANAL5%I% OF THE RUKHMABAI CA%E
9he %ase o- Ru6hmabai dates ba%6 to #884 *hen t*enty t*o yea( old Ru6hmabai (e-used to %onsummate he( ma((iage solemnied at the age o- ele5en+ Ru6hmabai *as ele5en yea(s *hen she *as ma((ied to Dada/i &hi6a/i, a .oo( %ousin o- he( ste.-athe( Sa6ha(am A(/un+ n (ea%hing .ube(ty -e* months a-te( he( ma((iage, the e7.e%ted (itual *as that o- ga(bhadhan o( the (itual (itual %onsum %onsummat mation ion o- the ma((iag ma((iage+ e+ Ho*e5e Ho*e5e(, (, su%h su%h ea(ly ea(ly %onsum %onsummati mation on *as not en%ou(aged by Sa6ha(am and so Ru6hmabai (emained at he( natal home and %ontinued to study+ Ru6hmabais husband *as a man o- uestionable %ha(a%te( and *ithin a -e* yea(s time, she (ealied that she did not *ant to (emain in this ma((iage+ A-te( ele5en yea(s o- the un%onsummated ma((iage, Dada/i -iled a %ase -o( (estitution o- %on/ugal (ights, a &(itish la* in%o(.o(ated in%o(.o(ated into the %olonial legal system by *hi%h eithe( o- the s.ouses s.ouses %ould demand -o( the union *ith his o( he( s.ouse *hen eithe( .a(ty *as as li5ing a.a(t *ithout adeuate (eason+ Ru6hmabai stead-astly (e-used and de-ied the B(i5y Coun%ils o(de( to K(etu(n to he( husband, stating that she .(e-e((ed %ou(ting im.(isonment -o( 5iolating o(de(s than (emaining Manish malhotra, child-marriage-in-india-p child-marriage-in-india-policy olicy ('ovember 10,05:25!m" legalperspectives.blogspot.com/ 11
in a ma((iage that she did not *ant+ He( a(gument that she %annot be %om.elled to be tied in a ma((iage that *as %ondu%ted at an age *hen she *as in%a.able o- gi5ing %onsent *as an a(gument hithe(to unhea(d o- and unimaginable+ Ru6hmabais st(uggle against indigenous .at(ia(%hal %ustoms *as not %on-ined to he( .e(sonal (esistan%e (esi stan%e only+ only+ She *(ote in the 9imes o- India unde( the .seudonym o- A Hindu Lady atta%6ing institutions o- in-ant ma((iage and -o(%ed -o(%ed *ido*h *ido*hood ood++ 3hile 3hile %(iti%s %(iti%s o- in-ant in-ant ma((iag ma((iagee still still %onsid %onside(ed e(ed ea(ly ea(ly ma((iag ma((iagee as essential to hindu shast(i% no(ms suggesting a (aised age o- #! yea(s, -o( Ru6hmabai the minimum age o- ma((iage should be #F yea(s+ In #8$#, the age o- ma((iage (ose to #! yea(s -(om #" yea(s+ 3hile Ru6hmabai had an out o- %ou(t settlement *ith Dada/i, the %ase be%ame a landma(6 in %olonial India -o( (aising issues o- %onsent and %hoi%e o- *omen in ma((iage+
Th# Phulmonee cas# su//a!( In #8$", ele5en yea( old Bhulmonee died o- ma(ital (a.e by he( t*enty nine yea( old husband Ha(i Maiti+ He( mothe( Radhamonees a%%ount o- seeing he( daughte( lying in blood and su%%umbing to the in/u(ies o- -o(%ed inte(%ou(se .a5ed the g(ound -o( the age o- %onsent debate+ Hindu no(ms mandated se7ual inte(%ou(se on men *hen thei( %hild *i5es attain .ube(ty and the %olonial la* only .enalied ma(ital (a.e *hen then the %hild *i-e *as unde( the age o- ten+ Sin%e Bhulomone Bhulomoneee *as olde(, olde(, Ha(i Maiti *as not a%%used o- ma(ital (a.e and mu(de( and %ha(ged -o( (ash a%ts+Ho*e5e(, this %ase .ushed the %olonial go5e(nment to (aise the age o- %onsent -o( ma((iage o- gi(ls to t*el5e+ Mo(e im.o(tantly this %ase (aised uestions *hethe( -amilies o( %ommunities had the (ight to in-li%t .ain o( su--e(ing on *omen using the .lea o- t(adition+ &oth these %ases .a5ed the g(ound -o( not only (aising the age o- ma((iage o- gi(ls but mo(e im.o(tantly %on-(ont issues o- %hoi%e and %onsent o- *omen in ma((iage+ 9hese %ases in the #$th %entu(y *e(e .(e%u(so(s to late( dis%ussions and legal inte(5entions on %hild ma((iages in !"th %entu(y in India+ 8 Case@ Smt+ Ba(ayan6andiyal E(a5ath ana.(a5an alliani Amma and othe(s >s++ De5i and othe(s$ sanhati.com/excerpted/2207/ mt$ ara%anandi%al $$$ vs 6$ 7evi 8 9rs on 2) -!ril,: 1) -+ 1)3, 1) CC (4" ) 12
CHANGE% BROUGHT ABOUT B5 CHILD MARRIAGE PROHIBITION ACT67889
#+ ld Child Ma((iage A%t, #$!$ did not a--e%t the 5alidity o- ma((iage+ ma((i age+
!+ Ne* A%t o- !"" ma6es it 5oidable and 5oid in some %ases+
'+ 9his 9his being se%ula( .ie%e o- legislation a..lies all the (eligions
in India and is a 5e(y good
ste. to*a(ds ena%tment o- ?+C+C+
4+ Se%tion ' o- the ne* A%t te(ms it K5oidable and is at the o.tion o- the .a(ty0mino( .a(ty0mino( %hild to de%ide+
F+ Se%tion #! o- the ne* A%t te(ms it K>oid *hen it is done by enti%ing o( ta6ing a*ay o- %hild -(om the la*-ul %ustody o- Ba(ents o( Gua(dian+
9he A%t lays em.hasis on the .(ohibition o- %hild ma((iages by .(o5iding -o( the a..ointment o- Child Ma((iage Ma((iage B(ohibitio B(ohibition n --i%e(s --i%e(s by the State Go5e(nments Go5e(nments and gi5es .o*e(s to these --i%e(s to .(e5ent and .(ose%ute solemniation o- %hild ma((iages and to %(eate a*a(eness on the issue+ Ho*e5e( *ithout the (eui(ed -inan%ial allo%ations these --i%e(s *ill .(obably not get a..ointed+ 9he A%t gi5es the Dist(i%t Magist(ate .o*e(s to sto. and .(e5ent solemniation o- mass %hild ma((iages by em.loying a..(o.(iate measu(es and minimum .oli%e -o(%e a.a(t -(om gi5ing him all the .o*e(s o- the Child Ma((iage B(ohibition --i%e(+ 9he ma((iage o- a mino( gi(l o-ten ta6es .la%e be%ause o- the .o5e(ty and indebtedness o- he( -amily+ Do*(y be%omes an additional (eason, *hi%h *eighs e5en mo(e hea5ily on .oo(e( -amilies+ 9he gene(al demand -o( younge( b(ides also %(eates an in%enti5e -o( these -amilies to ma((y the gi(l %hild as ea(ly as .ossible to a5oid high do*(y .ayments -o( olde( gi(ls+
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2oung b(ides -a%e the (is6 o- se7ual and (e.(odu%ti5e ill health be%ause o- thei( e7.osu(e to ea(ly se7ual a%ti5ity and .(egnan%y+ 9he N1HS! had (e%o(ded that only 4 o- ma((ied gi(ls .(a%ti%ed gauna+ It had -u(the( been (e%o(ded that the .e(iod bet*een ma((iage and gauna had been (edu%ed to about one yea( in most %ases+ %ases + 9he N1HS' -igu(es sho* that the .(a%ti%e .(a%ti %e has been -u(the( (est(i%ted to "+ ma((ied gi(ls+ Com.li%ations and mo(tality mo(talit y a(e %ommon du(ing %hildbi(th -o( young .(egnant gi(ls+ Gi(ls *ho %ome -(om .oo( ba%6g(ounds and *ho a(e o-ten ma((ied at an ea(ly age ha5e little o( no a%%ess to health %a(e se(5i%es+ Ris6s asso%iated *ith youn young g .(eg .(egna nan%y n%y and and %hild %hildbe bea(i a(ing ng in%l in%lud udee “an in%(e in%(ease ased d (is6 (is6 o- .(em .(emat atu( u(ee labo labou( u(,, %om.li%ation %om.li%ationss du(ing du(ing deli5e(y deli5e(y,, lo* bi(th*eigh bi(th*eight, t, and a highe( highe( %han%e that the ne* bo(n *ill not su(5i5e+” 2oung mothe(s unde( age #F a(e -i5e times mo(e li6ely to die than *omen in thei( t*enties due to %om.li%ations in%luding haemo((hage, se.sis, .(ee%lam.sia0 e%lam.sia and obst(u%ted labou(+# Mate(nal mo(tality amongst adoles%ent gi(ls is estimated to be t*o to -i5e times highe( than adult *omen+ Child Child ma((iag ma((iagee most most o-ten o-ten o%%u(s o%%u(s in .oo(, .oo(, (u(al %ommun %ommuniti ities+ es+ In many (egions, (egions, .a(ent .a(entss a((ange thei( daughte(s ma((iage unbe6no*nst to the gi(l+ 9hat %an mean that one day, she may be at home .laying .laying *ith he( siblings, siblings, and the ne7t, she is ma((ied o-- and sent to li5e in anothe( anothe( 5illage *ith he( husband and his -amily st(ange(s, st(ange(s, essentially+ essentially+ She is .ulled out o- s%hool+ She is se.a(ated -(om -( om he( .ee(s+ And on%e ma((ied, she is mo(e li6ely to be a 5i%tim o- domesti% 5iolen%e and su--e( health %om.li%ations asso%iated *ith ea(ly se7ual a%ti5ity and %hildbea(ing+ U+#! B!itish !ul#
Eu(o.ean s%hola(s obse(5ed in the #$th %entu(y that Hindu *omen a(e “natu(ally %haste” and “mo(e 5i(tuous” than othe( *omen+ Du(ing the &(itish Ra/, Ra/, many (e-o(me(s su%h as Ram Mohan Moh an Roy Roy,,Ish*a( Chan Chand(a d(a >i >idyasag dyasaga( a( , =yoti =yoti(ao (ao Bhule et%+ -ought -ought -o( the u.li-tm u.li-tment ent o- *omen+ Bea(y Cha(an Sa(6a( , a -o(me( student o- Hindu College, Cal%utta and a membe( o- “2oung &engal” set u. the -i(st -(ee s%hool -o( gi(ls in India in #84 in &a(asat, a subu(b o- Cal%utta 3hile this list might suggest that the(e *as no .ositi5e &(itish %ont(ibution du(ing the Ra/ e(a, that is not enti(ely so, sin%e missiona(iesJ *i5es li6e Ma(tha Mault nOe Mead and he( daughte( Elia Cald*ell nOe Mault a(e (ightly (emembe(ed -o( .ionee(ing the edu%ation and t(aining o- 14
gi(ls in south India a .(a%tise that initially met *ith lo%al (esistan%e, as it -le* in the -a%e o- t(ad t(adit itio ion+ n+ Ra/a a/a Ramm ammohan ohan Roy Roys e--o e--o(t (tss led led to the the abol abolit itio ion n o- the the Sati Sati .(a%ti%e .(a%ti%e unde( Go5e(no(Gene(al unde( Go5e(no(Gene(al 3illiam Ca5endish&entin%6 in in #8!$+ Ish*a( Chand(a >idyasaga(Js %(usade -o( the im.(o5ement in %ondition o- *ido*s led to the 3i 3ido* do* Rema((i Rema((iage age A%t A%t o- o- #8F+ Many *omen (e-o(me(s su%h as Bandita Ramabai also Ramabai also hel.ed the %ause o- *omen u.li-tment+ ittu( Chennamma, Chennamma, the ueen o- the .(in%ely state ittu( in a(nata6a led an a(med (ebellion against the &(itish in (es.onse to the Do%t(ine o- la.se+ la.se+ Abba66a Rani the Rani the ueen o- %oastal a(nata6a a(nata6a led the de-en%e against in5ading Eu(o.ean Eu(o.ean a(mies notably notably the Bo(tuguese Bo(tuguese in #th %entu(y+ Rani La6shmi &ai, &ai, the Pueen o- =hansi =hansi,, led the Indian Rebellion o- #8F against the &(itish+ She is no* *idely %onside(ed as a nationalist he(o+ &egum Ha(at Mahal, Mahal, the %o(ule( o- A*adh A*adh,, *as anothe( (ule( *ho led the (e5olt o- #8F+ She (e-used the deals *ith the &(itish and late( (et(eated to Ne.al+ 9he &egums o- &ho.al *e(e &ho.al *e(e also -e* o- the notable -emale (ule(s du(ing this .e(iod+ 9hey did not obse(5e .u(dah .u(dah and and *e(e t(ained in ma(tial a(ts+ a(ts+ Chand(amu6hi &asu, &asu, adambini Ganguly and Anandi Go.al =oshi *e(e -e* o- the ea(liest Indian *omen to obtain edu%ational deg(ees+ In #$#, the -i(st *omenJs delegation met the Se%(eta(y o- State to demand *omenJs .oliti%al (ights (ights,, su..o( su..o(ted ted by the Indian Indian Nation National al Cong(e Cong(ess+ ss+ 9he 9he All All India India 3omenJs menJs Edu%ati Edu%ation on Con-e(en%e *as held in Bune in #$!+ In #$!$, the Child Ma((iage Rest(aint A%t *as .assed, sti. sti.ul ulat atin ing g -ou( -ou(te teen en as the the mini minimu mum m age age o- ma(( ma((ia iage ge -o( -o( a gi(l gi(l th(o th(oug ugh h the the e--o e--o(t (tss o- Mahomed Ali =innah+ =innah+ 9hough Mahatma Gandhi himsel- ma((ied at the age o- thi(teen, he late( u(ged .eo.le to boy%ott %hild ma((iages and %alled u.on the young men to ma((y the %hild *ido*s+ 3omen .layed an im.o(tant .a(t in IndiaJs inde.enden%e st(uggle+ Some o- the -amous -(eedom -ighte(s in%lude &hi6a/i Cama, Cama, D(+ Annie &esant, &esant, B(itilata 3addeda( , >i/ayala6shmi Bandit,, Ra/6uma(i Am(it au( , A(una Asa- Ali, Bandit Ali, Su%heta (i.lani and (i.lani and astu(ba Gandhi+ Gandhi + the( notable names in%lude Muthu Muthula6shm la6shmii Reddy Reddy,, Du(gabai Deshmu6h et%+ 9he Rani o- =hansi Regiment Regiment o- Subhash Chand(a &oses &ose s Indian National A(my %onsisted A(my %onsisted enti(ely o- *omen in%luding Ca.tain La6shmi Sahgal+ Sahgal+ Sa(o/ini Naidu, Naidu, a .oet and a -(eedom -ighte( , *as the -i(st Indian *oman to be%ome the B(esident o- the Indian National Cong(ess and the -i(st *oman to be%ome the go5e(no( o- a state in India+
15
CHILD MARRIAGE PROHIBITION OFFICER
:#; 9he State Go5e(nment shall, by noti-i%ation in the --i%ial Gaette, a..oint -o( the *hole State o( su%h .a(t the(eothe(eo- as may be s.e%i-ied in that noti-i%ation, noti-i%ation, an o--i%e( o( o--i%e(s to be 6no*n as the Child Ma((iage B(ohibition --i%e( ha5ing /u(isdi%tion o5e( the a(ea o( a(eas s.e%i-ied in the noti-i%ation :!; 9he State Go5e(nment may also (euest a (es.e%table membe( o- the lo%ality *ith a (e%o(d o- so%ial se(5i%e o( an o--i%e( o- the G(am Ban%hayat o( Muni%i.ality o( an o--i%e( o- the Go5e(nment o( any .ubli% se%to( unde(ta6ing o( an o--i%e bea(e( o- any nongo5e(nmental o(ganisation to assist the Child Ma((iage B(ohibition --i%e( and su%h membe(, o--i%e( o( o--i%e bea(e(, as the %ase may be, shall be bound to a%t a%%o(dingly+ :'; It shall be the duty o- the Child Ma((iage B(ohibition --i%e( :a; to .(e5ent solemnisation o- %hild ma((iages by ta6ing su%h a%tion as he may deem -it :b; to %olle%t e5iden%e -o( the e--e%ti5e .(ose%ution .(ose%ution o- .e(sons %ont(a5ening the .(o5isions o- this A%t :%; to ad5ise eithe( indi5idual %ases o( %ounsel the (esidents o- the lo%ality gene(ally not to indulge in .(omoting, hel.ing, aiding o( allo*ing the solemnisation o- %hild ma((iages :d; to %(eate a*a(eness o- the e5il *hi%h (esults -(om %hild ma((iages :e; to sensitie the %ommunity on the issue o- %hild ma((iages :-; to -u(nish su%h .e(iodi%al (etu(ns and statisti%s as the State Go5e(nment may di(e%t and :g; to dis%ha(ge su%h othe( -un%tions and duties as may be assigned to him by the State Go5e(nment+ :4; 9he State State Go5e(n Go5e(nmen mentt may, may, by noti-i% noti-i%atio ation n in the --i%ial --i%ial Gaette Gaette,, sub/e%t sub/e%t to su%h su%h %onditions and limitations, in5est the Child Ma((iage B(ohibition --i%e( *ith su%h .o*e(s o- a .oli%e o--i%e( as may be s.e%i-ied in the noti-i%ation and the Child Ma((iage B(ohibition --i%e( shall e7e(%ise su%h .o*e(s sub/e%t to su%h %onditions and limitations, as may be s.e%i-ied in the noti-i%ation+ :F; 9he Child Ma((iage B(ohibition --i%e( shall ha5e the .o*e( to mo5e the Cou(t -o( an o(de( unde( se%tions 4, F and #' and along *ith the %hild unde( se%tion '+
1)
A/#+/#+t o2 Act No: 7; o2 $<;; + In the Hindu Ma((iage A%t, #$FF, in se%tion #8, -o(
%lause :a;, the -ollo*ing %lause shall be substituted, namely@ “:a; in the %ase o- %ont(a5ention o- the %ondition s.e%i-ied in %lause :iii; o- se%tion F, *ith (igo(ous im.(isonment *hi%h may e7tend to t*o yea(s o( *ith -ine *hi%h may e7tend to one la6h (u.ees, o( *ith both”+
PUNI%HMENT FOR 4IOLATION OF CHILD MARRIAGE RE%TRAINT ACT6 $<7< ?nde( the Child Ma((iage Rest(aint A%t, the s%o.e o- .enalty -o( di--e(ent .a(ties to the %hild ma((iage is@ Pu+ish/#+t to Pa!#+t o! "ua!ia+ @ In most %ases, a %hild ma((iage is instigated by
•
the .a(ents o( gua(dians+ 9he .unishment -o( these .a(ties may e7tend u. to th(ee months im.(i im.(iso sonm nmen ent+ t+ 9hey 9hey may be also also sub/ sub/e%t e%ted ed to a -ine -ine++ 9he 9he .ena .enalty lty is 5alid 5alid e5en e5en i- the the .a(ent0gua(dian has not %onsented to the ma((iage, but -ails to ta6e adeuate measu(es to .(e5ent it+ Pu+ish/#+t to th# Pa!t( 1ho sol#/+i=#s chil /a!!ia"#) 9his im.lies anyone *ho
•
.e(-o(ms o( %ondu%ts a %hild ma((iage %e(emony, su%h as a .(iest+ 9he .enalty in this %ase is th(ee months im.(isonment and a -ine+ 9he .a(ty may, ho*e5e(, es%a.e liability i- he .(o5es he *as una*a(e that the b(ide and b(ideg(oom *e(e mino(s+ Pu+ish/#+t to th# B!i#"!oo/ @ I- the b(ideg(oom abo5e !# yea(s is ma((ying a
•
mino(, he may be im.(isoned -o( u. to th(ee months, and may ha5e to .ay a -ine as *ell+ Ho*e5e(, i- the b(ide is belo* !#, but abo5e #8, the ma7imum du(ation o- im.(isonment is #F days+
CHILD MARRIAGE LAW% IN INDIA) A FINAL WORD
1(om the s%o.e o- .enalties in the Child Ma((iage Rest(aint A%t it is e5ident that the e7isting la*s a(e not st(i%t enough+ Conside(ing that the last (e5ision to the a%t too6 .la%e o5e( th(ee de%ades ago, it is high time that the Go5e(nment o- India .ays se(ious attention to this issue+ 9he go5e(nment %(eated the “National Blan o- A%tion -o( Child(en” in !""F, %laiming to eliminat eliminatee %hild %hild ma((ia ma((iage ge enti(el enti(ely y by !"#"+ !"#"+ Ho*e5e Ho*e5e(, (, *e5e ente(e ente(ed d !"#" !"#" and the issue issue %ontinues to subsist+
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Ala(mingly, %hild ma((iage %ases a(e not only -ound in the (u(al (egions o- the nation, and also in some de5elo.ed %ities o- states li6e Ra/asthan, Gu/a(at, &iha( and Andh(a B(adesh+ 9he .(oblem o- %hild ma((iage is not lo%alised it is %ommon and still *ides.(ead in many .a(ts o- the de5elo.ing %ount(y+ 9he .(oblem o- %hild ma((iage is a matte( o- su.(eme %on%e(n as the %hild(en *ho a(e the -utu(es o- tomo((o* a(e i- bu(dened *ith ma(ital (es.onsibilities at 5e(y tende( age they a(e not able to .(os.e( and %on%ent(ate on thei( aim o- li-e+ It leads to the deg(adation o- not only the %ommunity but the *hole nation as a *hole+ La*s a(e the(e but it is high time that edu%ated .eo.le li6e *e and us should %ome -o(*a(d and sto. this+ E5en in many %ases the .oli%e o--i%e(s a(e in5ited in su%h ma((iages and they %ould be seen en/oying in su%h %e(emonies and gi5ing blessings to the ne*ly *ed+ Its high time i- *e *ant the de5elo.ment o- ou( %ount(y as a *hole *e ha5e to %ome -o(*a(d and sto. this+
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CONCLU%ION
I am in -a5ou( o- most .(o.osals :though I sim.ly %annot %on%ei5e the %onseuen%es o- the (edu%tion in age -o( ma((iage o- boys to #8 yea(s;+ Ho*e5e( one signi-i%ant -a%t *hi%h a(ises u.on an e5aluation o- this Re.o(t is its la%6 o- %onside(ation o- the Muslim .e(sonal la*s *he(ein the age o- ma((iage o- gi(l is the age *hen she attains .ube(ty+ Sin%e the .(o.osal is 6een to en5isage all gi(ls to be ma((ied only a-te( they attain # and the(e is no uali-i%ation as to Muslim gi(ls, it *ould im.ly that these .(o5isions a(e a..li%able a%(oss the boa(d to all gi(ls in India, i((es.e%ti5e o- the (eligion o( %ultu(al ethos they %ome -(om+ 9his ma6es this .(o.osal the -i(st in line *ith the %he(ished idea o- a K?ni-o(m Ci5il Code*hi%h -o(ms a %ont(o5e(sial element in the KDi(e%ti5e B(in%i.les o- State Boli%y unde( the Constitution o- India+ 9hough most %(itiues *ould /um. at the Re.o(t -o( 5a(ious (e%ommendations it ma6es :and on the lighte( side, I ha5e al(eady seen 5a(ious -unny %a(i%atu(es on the age o- boys -o( ma((iage (edu%ed to #8 yea(s;, its a .(og(essi5e .ie%e o- ad5i%e *hi%h the Commission has meted out to the Go5e(nment and the only item on the agenda *hi%h (emains to be .e(-o(med is *hen :and i- at all; the Go5e(nment de%ides to t(anslate these .(o.osals into la*s+
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BIBLIOGRAPH5 Ba!# Acts) $: P!ohibit P!ohibitio+ io+ o2 Chil Ma!!ia"# Ma!!ia"# Act678 Act67889 89 7: Chil Chil Ma!!i Ma!!ia"# a"# R#st R#st!ai !ai+ + Act Act6$< 6$<7< 7<
WEB%ITE% REFFERED 1. www.law comm commiss issiono ionof f india india .nic.in .nic.in/report /reports/repor s/report205.pdf t205.pdf 2. www.cis.chicago www.cis.chicago.ed/.. .ed/.../0!11 ./0!111!-"hlman# 1!-"hlman#$ndia $ndia -%ackgro -%ackgrond&eading. nd&eading.pdf pdf '. www. law law isgr isgreek. eek.com/ com/ch chiild-ma marrriage-la laws ws -i -inn- ind ndiia. a.co com m (. www.social.n.org/index.com F+ www.childlineindia.org.in
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