Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Disconcerting

The Delhi High Court ruling that once a boy or girl attains the age of discretion and chooses a life partner, his or her marriage cannot be nullified on the ground that he or she is a minor (Oct. 7) is disconcerting. That the Division Bench took recourse to adages such as `love is blind,' and `you cannot love and be wise,' to substantiate its ruling is unfortunate. It will undermine the measures at various levels for the empowerment of women. There is also every chance of the ruling being exploited.

N.K. Vijayan,
Kizhakkambalam, Kerala

The Hindu Marriage Act specifically provides that a girl should be 18 to qualify for marriage. As for the exercise of free will following the attainment of age of discretion, the Court surely cannot be oblivious to the fact that very few girls in India are allowed the luxury of exercising their discretion on matrimony even after they attain majority.

J.M. Manchanda,
New Delhi

Although before attaining the age of 18, a girl may be capable of exercising her discretion the possibility of taking rash decisions at a young age is high. The verdict will encourage child marriages.

Pratheesh Jacob,
Bangalore

A girl of 15 cannot be expected to analyse the pros and cons of a marriage. Child marriage deprives a girl of her educational needs and takes away her childhood. The ruling, which is bound to encourage the practice, should not go unchallenged.

K.V. Seetharamaiah,
Hassan, Karnataka

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

The rupee is back in focus
A burgeoning health problem
The great Indian laughter challenge
Doing business the Boeing way
Iran's heritage deserves respect
Fuss about obesity does a fat lot of good
Fallout of Plame affair
Assistance to Pakistan
Bihar dissolution
Laudable ruling
Disconcerting

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu