HP passes Bill raising girls’ marriage age to 21

Shimla, August 27

The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Himachal Pradesh Amendment) Bill, 2024, was passed by the Vidhan Sabha today to enhance the marriageable age of girls from 18 to 21 years. The Bill for making amendments to the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, was passed by the Assembly today. Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dhani Ram Shandil tabled the Bill in the Vidhan Sabha and it was passed by the House through a voice vote.

“In today’s world, women are progressing in every field and as such early marriage acts as a hindrance not only to their career progression but also their physical development. In order to provide gender equality and opportunities of obtaining higher education, it has become necessary to increase the minimum age of marriage of girls,” the objectives of the proposed amendment read.

It has further been pointed out that the amendment is being made to enhance the girls’ marriageable age from 18 to 21 years. It was highlighted that the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, was enacted to provide for the prohibition of solemnisation of child marriages and for matters connected with this issue.

The amended Act will apply to all persons domiciled in the territory of Himachal notwithstanding anything contrary or inconsistent therewith contained in the Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872, the Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936, the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, the Special Marriage Act, 1954, the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, or any other law or custom or usage or practice in relation to marriage.

Kangana remarks trigger uproar

The House witnessed sloganeering and heated exchanges between the treasury benches and opposition members as remarks made by Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut on the farmers’ agitation echoed in the Vidhan Sabha on the opening day of the monsoon session.