Jharkhand Minister Hafizul Hassan Says Going By Growth Of Girls These Days, Marriage Age Should Be Lowered To 16

Jharkhand’s minority welfare minister Hafizul Hassan has triggered criticism from rival political parties after he made a statement that instead of increasing it, the government should reduce the marriageable age for girls.

“Going by the growth these days, it should be decreased to 16. If not then it should remain at 18,” Hassan was quoted by Hindustan Times as saying.

He is a senior leader of Jharkhand-based political outfit Jharkhand Mukti Morcha.

The Centre recently tabled and the Cabinet has cleared the proposal, to increase the legal age of marriage for women to 21, up from the existing 18 years.

BJP leader Birangi Narayan, reacting to Hassan’s statement, said a minister should not be making such a statement.