Arya Samaj

Shishya

Indian State's Marriage Clampdown
by
Narayan Bareth
BBC News, Jaipur

The government in the western Indian state of Rajasthan has made it compulsory to register all marriages.

The decision follows a Supreme court ruling in February asking federal and state governments to pass laws requiring compulsory registration.

"Not a single marriage would be allowed without registration" said the state's Social Welfare Minister Madan Dilawar.

The government will charge a nominal fee for the registration, which has been welcomed by women's groups.

'Evil Marriages'

They say the new law will help check illegal child marriages.

"Child marriages are rampant in Rajasthan. Seventeen percent (of) women here become mothers between the ages of 15 and 17 years," social activist Kavita Srivastava told the BBC.

"We hope marriage registration will help in checking the evil of child marriages."

According to Indian law the minimum age a woman can marry is 18, while for men it is 21. A previous attempt by a state minister to introduce compulsory marriage registration five years ago failed.

The states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh already have laws making registration of marriages compulsory.

But a majority of marriages in India are not registered because ceremonies are performed according to religious rites.

Registering marriages has essentially been an urban phenomenon and married couples usually register only when there is a specific legal requirement, such as obtaining visas.

(Source)

Sunita · Arya Ladies Forum Moderator Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 541

I thought that child marriages was banned many years ago. Sad

Shishya · Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 11:45 pm Post subject:

Namaste Sunita:

Child marriage is illegal, and has been for quite some time. As the article said, Indian law has set the minimum age for girls at 18, for men at 21. The problem is, however, that child marriage is still being carried out despite this law. This new measure the article discusses hopes to reduce the number of infractions by making unregistered marriages illegal - or at least requiring that all marriages are registered locally.

It is indeed amazing that this practice continues, though. Confused

_________________
Namaste,

Shishya
ॐ

ॐ सह नावतु । सह तौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ॥
"Together may we be protected. Together may we be profited. Together may we do a hero's work. May we learn intelligently. May we never hate one another."
-Brihadaranyaka & Taittiriya Upanishads

Sunita · Arya Ladies Forum Moderator Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 541

I still believe that people under 25 should not get married. I think that our parents forces us to do this because its a burden in a way. There is so much in life i wish i had experience before marriage. As teenagers, we had to follow rules....we weren't allowed to talk to guys...nor even date anybody. I had no experience at all and it made it hard from the begining. It was one big nightmare from the begining to the ending. After the first three months...so called honeymoon period....there was nothing left to enjoy. Having kids even made it worst. I love my two little men....but u know what i mean.

But anyhow, i encourage all my cousins/girlfirends to get to know the person before marriage and wait until they are older. Teenagers should not be mothers. It ruins many lives. Once u made that commitment.....its hard to walk away.

Shishya · Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 1:30 am Post subject:

Namaste Sunita,

I think I can see where you're coming from. But at the same time, I think it is important to remember that waiting too long to get married has a negative side as well. Studies show that the most successful marriages are usually those which were consumated between individuals under the age of 25. It is suspected that the main reason for this is that the longer one waits, the more developed and independent (read: 'crystalized') the personality becomes, which in turn makes it more difficult for couples to adapt to one another and to built truly harmonious relationships. Successful couples grow together, and younger couples have the potential to form their 'adult' image of themselves as being married. This means that - when tough times occur (and they occur in every relationship, even the 'best' ones) - the couple is far more likely to work through their problems rather than simply giving up in the knowledge that they can get by just fine without a partner in life. Besides, after 25 adapting to the role of parent becomes increasingly difficult. With that being said, however, I don't think anyone should be 'forced' into getting married if they don't feel that they are ready. Without that, a marriage is doomed from the outset.
_________________
Namaste,

Shishya
ॐ

ॐ सह नावतु । सह तौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ॥
"Together may we be protected. Together may we be profited. Together may we do a hero's work. May we learn intelligently. May we never hate one another."
-Brihadaranyaka & Taittiriya Upanishads

Deepan Abisuriya · Junior Member Joined: 13 Sep 2006 Posts: 66

Namaste Shishya,

I have a question.

As per vedas, should we not marry after 25 years (following brahmacharya). Is dating permitted . If yes, I will start immidately Very Happy

. I always believed that till age 25 dating is wrong Crying or Very sad

. I was more into studying scriptures.

I thought that after 25 the person is matured enough to bear the family reponsibilities and is able to manage the affairs of the family and business. Dating and romance after 25 (man) and after 18 (for women) will be more matured in relationship. As they would be able to understand that, marriage is a evelasting bond between two souls of the opposite sex, a friendship which has no limits of expresion or love. Not as the immatured - just for sex.

As Sunita said, early marriage will some what make us inexperienced. I also believe that a person after the age of brahmacharya (25), will not be much impulsive in decisions. This may bring down divorse, affairs, etc.
May be I am right, may be wrong.

Pleae advice. Rolling Eyes

Deepan.