IUML Opposes Government’s Decision To Raise Legal Marriage Age For Women, Move Adjournment Motion In House

Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MPs moved an adjournment motion in the parliament to discuss the proposal cleared by the Union Cabinet to raise the minimum age for marriage of women from 18 to 21.

The IUML leaders alleged that the government’s decision is against Muslim personal law and a planned move to implement the uniform civil code in the country.

Lok Sabha MP ET Muhammad Basheer informed that he along with Abdussamad Samadani, PV Abdul Wahab moved an adjournment motion in the House regarding the issue.

“IUML opposes the government’s move which aims to unify the legal age of marriage. Muslim personal law clearly describes marriage, divorce, and the right to property. All these matters belong to our faith. The Union government is trying to intrude into our constitutional rights,” alleged ET Muhammad Basheer.

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday cleared the proposal to raise the minimum age of marriage for women from 18 to 21, a year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the plan is under review.

Presently, the minimum age of marriage for men is 21 but for women, it is 18.

Some, however, believe the cabinet’s decision is problematic and would further control women’s autonomy.

“It is a move basically intended to control women’s autonomy even further. Already women’s right to marry by their own choices has been attacked and now it will increase even further because it will get legal sanction,” Activist and Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) politician Kavita Krishnan told Al Jazeera.

Krishnan said it is the young women’s autonomy that is under “maximum attack” in India.

“I believe the minimum age of marriage for men should also be 18. If you are allowed to vote at 18, you are an adult and you should get all the rights that any adult does,” she said.