New Delhi: In Assam, cases have been registered under the POCSO Act against those who marry girls below 18 years of age. In this, 1,460 people have been arrested till yesterday evening.
In Assam, where there is a significant Muslim population, the marriage of girls below 18 continues. Some of the non-Muslim tribals in Assam also marry this way. There were continuous complaints that action should be taken against them.
Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma said in a recent program, “It is not healthy for women to have children at such a young age. Thousands of girls under 18 are married off in our state. So far 4,004 complaints have been received in the police stations in this regard. Action will be taken against all those involved soon,” he said.
Accordingly, 1,460 people have been arrested till yesterday evening in Assam, which started from February 1.
These included Hajis, Maulanas, parents and guardians who conducted the marriage. Assam State Police Director GP Singh told the media. He said that a case has been registered against them under Section 376 of the Prevention of Child Marriage Act, Sections 4 and 5 of the POCSO Act. About a thousand of those arrested were Muslims. Most of them are wage earners. Generally the legal age of marriage for girls in various states including Assam is 18. Under the Prevention of Child Marriage Act, action is taken against those who marry under-age girls and those who are accomplices. But Muslim Sharia law allows girls under 18 to marry after puberty. The Punjab High Court has given this judgment in the same case.
A modern change among Muslims is that most do not marry girls below the age of 18. However, BJP-ruled state governments are trying to put an end to some of the age-old practices that continue in the name of religion. There are complaints that Hindutva is also behind this.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma decided to introduce Common Civil Code in Assam, the first state in the country. The states of Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand are also following this. The government has set up an expert committee to draft a draft law after passing a resolution in the Assembly regarding the General Civil Code in Assam.
