Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Underage Marriages, says 'Thousands of Husbands Will be Arrested'

Digital Desk: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted his government's commitment to ending underage weddings and motherhood on Saturday, warning that thousands of spouses will be imprisoned in the next five to six months because having sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 14 is an offensive crime. 

Speaking at a government event, the Assam BJP leader and Chief Minister also urged that women accept motherhood at the "right age," as doing so can lead to medical difficulties.

Sarma's remarks came amid the state government's efforts to enact stricter legislation and invoke the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act to reduce child marriages and underage motherhood.

"Thousands of husbands will be jailed in the next five to six months since having sexual contact with a girl under the age of 14 is a crime, even if he is her lawfully wed husband," Sarma stated. 

The legal age for a woman's marriage is 18 years, and those who marry younger females will be prosecuted, the Assam Chief Minister said. "Many (males who marry females) could face life in prison," he warned. 

"Women should not wait too long to become moms since it leads to complications," Sarma said of motherhood. The optimum age for motherhood is 22 years to 30 years". In a lighter vein, Sarma advised ladies who have not yet married to do so as quickly as possible.

We have voiced our opposition to early motherhood. However, as many women do, women should not wait too long... "God created our bodies in such a way that there is an appropriate age for everything," he continued. 

It may be recalled that the Assam cabinet resolved on Monday to charge men who marry girls under the age of 14 under the POCSO Act. Those who marry girls between the ages of 14 and 18 will face prosecution under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act of 2006.

Sarma stated following the cabinet meeting that the decision was made to reduce the state's high rate of maternal and infant mortality, the primary cause of which is child marriage. According to the Assam Chief Minister, 31% of marriages in the state are in the banned age category.