The National Federation of Indian Women has expressed its concern over the verdict of Delhi High Court upholding the marriage of a 15-year-old Muslim girl quoting Mohammedan Law on marriage.
“Disturbing”
“This is very disturbing because one of the reasons for India’s high maternal mortality is early marriage. This will also prevent girls from enjoying their Constitutional rights like Right to Education, etc. At a time when anti-Constitutional bodies, including Khap Panchayats, are becoming more and more stronger and anti-women, and killings in the name of ‘honour’ has become a daily affair, the Delhi High Court verdict amounts to giving legality to such systems and incidents,” noted a release issued by the Federation.
“While strongly protecting and arguing for one’s right to choose the life partner, the NFIW is of the view that the existing law on age at marriage should prevail, irrespective of communities,” said Federation general secretary Annie Raja.