18, the age for LIBERTY??
When I am 18, I shall vote! I shall decide who will rule the world’s largest democracy. Will I be mature enough to decide? “ YES, I will!,” at least that’s what Article 326 of the longest constitution in the world led me into believing during the pre-18 years of my life.
Now, I am 19, a year over 18. The Indian Majority Act 1875 tells me I am a major. I can vote, I can enter into contracts, I can finally possess a driver’s license and because I am a girl, I can enter into an absolutely legal wedlock. But, I still am not legally permitted to smoke cigarettes or consume alcohol for reasons unknown to me and right now do not actually interest or bother me.
But what perplexes me at the moment is the prescribed marriageable age for males that stand at 21 years as compared to 18 years for females. Talking about discrimination, we can see it against both the sexes: discrimination against the males by imposing unreasonable and unscientific restrictions on their marriageable age and that against the females that traces its roots to patriarchal traditions.
The most commonly voiced grounds for this age difference between both the sexes are maturity level, financial instability, population explosion and the resultant poverty. I strongly feel that the first two reasons are absolutely relative for one can be absolutely immature even at 25 or be financially unstable even after 30.Neither is there any biological proof to show that women mature earlier. As for population explosion, I would say that the imposition of such a law is the saddest way of birth control that our government could adopt. Scientific developments call for better means that do not impose restrictions on freedom.
The Law Commission of India has put forth a review recommending marriageable age of males to be lowered to 18 as well. It is pleasing to see that Article 14 is finally being honoured! Hoping to witness an amendment.
JAI HIND!
