DEFINE STATUS OF MINOR WIFE

The Supreme Court has ruled that sex with a minor wife is rape. Is the court unaware that there is, as per law, no minor wife in India? A minor wife is someone who is below 18 and, according to our laws, the legal age for a girl’ s marriage is 18 years and above. Therefore, there is no minor wife. If we go by the SC ruling then child marriage in India is still legal. This stand does not make sense. Constant efforts to eradicate social evils and redundant laws are required to make India women-friendly. The apex court must either define the status of a minor wife as illegal or marital rape as a crime altogether.

Manisha Rao, Chandigarh