Amid an outrage over a string of rape cases in Haryana, Khap panchayats in the State have come out with a suggestion to do away with the marriageable age limit, claiming it will check such crimes, while the ruling Congress saw a “conspiracy” in the incidents.
Concerned over teenaged girls being targeted, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on Sunday stepped in seeking explanation from the State government in each case, including action taken against culprits.
“Boys and girls should be married by the time they turn 16, so that they do not stray... this will decrease the incidents of rape,” Sube Singh, a Khap representative, said.
Another Khap member said, “As soon as the children attain puberty, it is natural for them to have sexual desires but when these are not fulfilled, they stray... so there should not be any minimum age limit for marriage.”
The comments from members of the influential caste councils came a day after a teenaged Dalit girl immolated herself after she was raped in Narwana area in Jind district, the 12th incident of rape in Haryana within a month.
Four persons, including a woman, were arrested in connection with the incidents. The main accused Pradeep and Naveen were arrested on Sunday.
Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said the culprits would not be spared and Education Minister Geeta Bhukkal asked social organisations and Khap panchayats to come forward to give a fitting reply to those who committed atrocities against women. — PTI
Keywords: Haryana rape cases, Khap panchayats, marriageable age limit, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights
@Mohideen: We are not talking about mutual consent for sex here. The issue is rape. I don't understand how teen-marriages can put an end to this menace. Even in the present scenario, most of the rapists were married. I strongly disagree with the Khap panchayat's suggestion. Forget the practicality of the solution, it defies common sense altogether. Removing marriage limit is another issue; but to say that it would put an end to rapes is absurd.
It is not correct to place the blame for all evils upon the "evil influence" of western culture (The "American Pie" movies are not a suitable example of western culture). Even in western Culture, teen sex is frowned upon.
Khaps suggest a solution based on their very limited understanding of the problem, a result of ignorance. They have been educated in an environment where women rights are a myth. For the sake of progress, they must come in terms with new ideas instead of suggesting shortsighted solutions. Progress is never made if we always try to apply 16th century logic to 21st century problems. Even our scriptures like the Rig Veda speak of the importance of progress and changing lifestyles. Ramayana also speaks of different interpretations of Dharma according to the situation at hand.
Teenage marriage will only lead to legalized rape of the girl by her husband. This is true for any culture or society or religion. Mr. Mohideen is wrong in his assessment that it is OK for our society, is wrong. It may apply to certain countries and religion where woman are treated as second class citizens and not equal to male. Woman are not an object to be used by Man as and when they want to. They do have rights and feelings. Education in the area of sex as well as respect for woman as equal human being are the areas which need to be addressed.
We live in a society wherein the western culture only is considered as moral and civilized. It is not wrong for a teen from the west to have intercourse with their teen friends. They are educated only to prevent pregnancy while marriage is strictly prohibited for teens.
What the Khaps profess is a practical solution to their problems. That does not mean they are illiterate or uncivilized. Civilization differs in different geographical locations.
I believe ,Lack of education, has made khaps suggest such a shallow
suggestion.
Marriage before 18 years will again bring up the number of maternal mortality rate. So taking the health as a primary factor, civil society should be educated and they should respect girls. As this point came from a rape case, it doesn't mean that this is a case of stray for a girl after getting puberty.
First, there is some truth in their claim. In the so called developed countries (France),
most lose their virginity at around 13. However, such liberty is not a possible in India
- thankfully! Earlier, the marriage is decided at a young age and the bonding start to
develop at that age. Again, with our passion towards "modernity" we are seeing many
broken marriages now.
However, all these explanations does not, will not and cannot justify rape! This is an
act where a man demeans himself to that of an animal...
This is the ridiculous suggestion I have heard from our uneducated brethern. To think that early age marriage will solve rapes is a wishful thinking. What happens if they rape after they are married, will we marry another girl at an older age since the wife they married at an younger age was up to it from a sexual point of view. Instead of teaching the youth about puberity, sexual desires and related education, this crooked theory will not solve the problem.
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