Child Rights Protection Body Asks Rajasthan Govt To Review Registration Of Marriage Bill

Rajasthan Marriage Bill : A letter was sent by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on Saturday to the Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, urging him to reconsider and review the provisions under the Rajasthan Compulsory Registration of Marriages (Amendment) Bill.

The NCPCR is the body responsible for upholding child rights in the country. It sought the state to review the bill in accordance to the provisions laid down by law and welfare of children in the state. The bill legalises the registration of child marriages in Rajasthan.

According to the TOI report, the NCPCR Chairman Priyank Kanoongo stated in the letter that the Commission is apprehensive that the enactment of the Bill may have serious impact on the “physical, psychological, social and education of minors in the state”. He had written to the Rajasthan Kalraj Mishra earlier, about the NCPCR’s apprehensions about the adverse impacts of the Bill if enacted as a law.

The Rajasthan Assembly passed the Rajasthan Compulsory Registration of Marriages Bill, 2021 on Friday, amid uproar. The proposal to amend the 2009 Act on compulsory registration of marriages within 30 days.

There was strong opposition from the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders in the assembly, and put under question the provision for the registration of child marriages under the Bill.

The new bill stated that the bride and groom can apply for registration of marriage, with the marriage registration officer of the place they have been residing in for more than 30 days. Bringing child marriage in focus, it stated that if in case the bride is less than 18 years of age and the groom is less than 21 years of age, the marriage should be registered by their parents or guardians within 30 days of the marriage.

The Supreme court has also ruled for compulsory registration of marriages.

Suggested Reading:

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