NCPCR express concern over impact of Rajasthan's Compulsory Registration of Marriages bill

JAIPUR: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on Monday wrote to Ashok Gehlot led Rajasthan government and the state governor Kalraj Mishra expressing concern over the impact of the Registration of Marriages (Amendment) Bill 2021 saying that it “legitimises” Child Marriage in Rajasthan.

Priyank Kanoonga, the chairperson of the NCPCR, said, "If child rights violation is happening in contradictory to the Child Marriage Act, Juvenile Justice Act, and POSCO Act, we will go to court to stop its implementation."

"The state government should be sensitive toward the children and NCPCR requests the lawmakers of Rajasthan to rethink," NCPCR head added.

The apex child rights body said the bill provides for registration of child marriages through the marriage registration officers of the place where they have been residing for more than 30 days.

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The NCPCR also stated that the bill may have a serious impact on the physical, psychological, social, and education of minors in the State.

“The bill further states that the marriage between a bridegroom who has not completed 21 years and a bride who has not completed 18 years of age could be registered by parents or guardians within 30 days of the marriage," the NCPCR said in the letter.

The Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) opposed the Bill even as Rajasthan minister Shanti Kumar Dhariwal maintained registering a child marriage does not give it legal status.

Meanwhile, Congress has argued that all marriages should be registered, whether one is minor or not.

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