Tele-Celebrities’ reactions on the legal age of marriage for women being raised from 18 to 21 years!

The government wants to raise the legal age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 years, and celebrities have strong opinions on it.

Rakshabandhan: Rasaal Apne Bhai Ki Dhaal actor Nishant Malkhani – Yes, I think that would be a really good change. I completely support that because even today many girls are forced into getting married as soon as they turn 18 for a lot of reasons. A lot of families think that girls are supposed to get married at 18 and they don’t need education. At least with this decision girls will get 3 more years so they can at least complete their degree so that they are independent to go out in the world and do whatever they want to do and earn for themselves. Overall, it will educate our society and increase the literacy rate because an educated mother will want her daughter to be further educated and our society will change for the better.

Bollywood Diaries actor Salim Diwan – It is important that girls are not pushed into marriage early, marriage should not be compulsory for them to gain social and economic status. It’s good to increase the marriage age of girls from 18 to 21. Eighteen year olds are very young to take the right decisions. Due to early marriage of girls, there are so many things which get affected like their health (mental and physical), education and social development perspectives. These consequences last well beyond adolescence. I read somewhere that one of the most common causes of death among girls aged 15 to 19 in developing countries was pregnancy or childbirth. So I think this decision is good for women empowerment.

Meera Deosthale last seen in Vidya– It’s an amazing news. There are so many houses in our countries where girls aren’t allowed to go to college. Post their high school they are married off. Now till 21 since they can’t be married, many parents will allow their girls to pursue education. Also, I feel, a lot of girls and families will not make hasty decisions when choosing the partners. 18 is a tricky age. You are right out of teenage but not developed mentally as a mature adult. By the time you are 21 you get to experience life a little and are little exposed to the world where you have a better understanding towards life.

Ziddi Dil Maane Na actress Simple Kaul – I think it is great news and women should get married later once they educate themselves. They should not be forced into marriage. The age 18 is very young as women are still studying in college. I was actually thrilled when I read it. I feel people will put more emphasis on the completion of study and after 21 once the girl has her degree, she can find a job and be independent or can say no to marriage because she knows she can financially earn.

Sasural Genda Phool 2 actor Sham Mashalkar – In many small cities and rural areas, girls are forced to get married. But now with this decision, girls can get some more years to study. Today the girls are also excelling in various fields, so 21 will get them more scope. According to me, this decision is great as girls can take their own decision to decide their partner as well. People too should accept this decision because then only society will grow.

Tera Yaar Hoon Main actor Sagar Parekh – It’s a great news to raise the legal age to 21. It would not really affect the society because I think whether it is rural or urban areas, the advancement of technology and network availability, people are more focused towards educating their girls and women and making them independent. Before it is implemented, people are already practising this. Girls are very much independent and sure about when they want to get married. I would not say that every part of country is practising this but it is better than what it used to be 10 years ago. I am glad about it and looking at the positive side. This decision will affect those areas where people are still practising child marriages and getting girls married without their concern.

Bade Acche Lagte Hai actor Aman Maheshwari – Talking about the legal age of marriage, the focus of the government should be on educating girls and the decision should be on girls at what age they want to get married. More the education, the wiser they will become and they would be more mature to take their life decisions.

Maaf Karna singer Reyen Eyes– Change is the only constant, isn’t it? Sometimes, the government has to make changes a part of the law, to enable the society to realise what value it can bring. India is ahead of many developed countries in terms of gender equality by law. I hope that with this change, society can inculcate some positive changes too.

Keerti Kadam.