GUWAHATI: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's drive against child marriage has created a havoc like situation in the entire region. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has concluded to seek intervention of the Supreme Court against the crackdown.
Guwahati High Court senior advocate and committee member, Hafiz Rashid Ahmed Choudhury stated that, the conclusion was made in Lucknow during a meeting.
He further informed that, he had raised his voice against the matter previously, but his words went unheard. Choudhury further mentioned that, as per the Muslim personal law, every girl who belongs to the Muslim community is allowed to marry after she attains the age of 15.
Along with that, Punjab and Haryana High Court also accepted this fact, and offered its verdict that a Muslim girl willing to get married at the age of 15, can do so without any sort of restriction. Choudhury mentioned about Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, where marriages of these kind are accepted.
On the other hand, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights opposed the verdict of High Court in front of the apex body. Choudhury further claimed absence of laws by the Assam government, while apprehending people in regards to child marriage.
After protests led by hundreds of women across the state, a tragic incident has come to light from Assam's South Salmara-Mankachar district on 3rd February, Friday. A woman, who is also a mother of two children committed suicide after the state's massive drive against child marriage.
The deceased woman was a widow and ever since her husband's demise, she was residing with her father. The lady was scared that her father would be behind the bars as she got married before attaining the age of 18. Following CMs order to arrest each and everyone involved in child marriage, the lady out of fear hung herself in her room.
As a result of the crackdown launched in the state of Assam, now the women has raised question against this particular decision of the administration. Women from several parts of the state came forward to protest against the government's crackdown against child marriage. Himanta Biswa Sarma mentioned that, child marriages that are registered under the age group of 14 years, will be considered as a bailable crime.
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