Request the Government of India to review the legal marriage age
The Issue
Marriage Age Reform, Personal Liberty, and Fair Justice for Young People
I believe it is time for India to have an open, modern, and evidence-based discussion about the legal minimum age of marriage, personal liberty, family relationships, and the protection of young people.
Today's youth have greater access to education, information, and awareness about relationships and personal responsibilities than previous generations. Although education alone cannot guarantee maturity, young people's circumstances, understanding, and individual experiences deserve to be considered when laws affecting their lives are debated.
I propose that the Government of India initiate a transparent review of the legal minimum marriage age, including consideration of a proposal to set it at 16 years for women and 19 years for men. This proposal should be evaluated through scientific evidence, healthcare research, educational considerations, constitutional principles, gender equality, and child-protection standards.
Respecting a Young Person's Wishes and Safety
Not every young person has a safe or supportive relationship with their family. Some face emotional abuse, threats, coercion, or physical violence because of their relationships or personal choices. Others may genuinely fear returning home or may not wish to continue living with their families.
When a young person expresses a wish to leave home, authorities should listen carefully, assess the circumstances, and take genuine safety concerns seriously. Family disagreement should not automatically be treated as proof that a young person is incapable of expressing a preference. At the same time, authorities must protect minors from coercion, exploitation, trafficking, forced marriage, and other forms of abuse.
Every case deserves an individual assessment rather than assumptions based solely on family allegations or a person's relationship status.
Preventing Misuse of Laws and Ensuring Fair Investigation
Laws such as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and kidnapping-related provisions exist to protect children and prevent exploitation. Their protective purpose must be respected.
However, concerns about possible false or malicious allegations should also be addressed through fair, impartial, and evidence-based investigations. An accusation should not automatically be treated as proof of guilt. Every accused person deserves due process, a fair opportunity to defend themselves, and a decision based on the evidence and applicable law.
Where a young person expresses a clear preference about a relationship or where allegations conflict with the available evidence, the circumstances should be examined carefully within the legal framework. A minor's statement and wishes may be important, but they do not automatically override statutory protections or determine whether an offence has occurred.
The objective should be to protect genuine victims, prevent exploitation, discourage malicious complaints, and ensure that innocent people are not unfairly punished. Both child safety and justice must matter.
A Call for Fair and Evidence-Based Legal Reform
I request the Government of India to consult legal experts, healthcare professionals, educators, child-rights organisations, social workers, and young people about the relationship between marriage-age laws, personal liberty, family safety, and criminal justice.
The government should consider whether existing legal safeguards and procedures adequately distinguish genuine abuse from disputed relationship cases, while preserving essential protections for minors.
I call for a transparent public consultation on my proposed marriage-age reform, alongside stronger safeguards against domestic abuse, fair investigations, legal support for vulnerable young people, and accountability for proven malicious allegations.
Our goal should be an India where young people are protected without ignoring their voices, families cannot use threats or violence to control them, genuine victims receive justice, and every accused person receives a fair investigation and due process.
Please sign this petition to support an informed public discussion and encourage lawmakers to examine these concerns responsibly.
10
The Issue
Marriage Age Reform, Personal Liberty, and Fair Justice for Young People
I believe it is time for India to have an open, modern, and evidence-based discussion about the legal minimum age of marriage, personal liberty, family relationships, and the protection of young people.
Today's youth have greater access to education, information, and awareness about relationships and personal responsibilities than previous generations. Although education alone cannot guarantee maturity, young people's circumstances, understanding, and individual experiences deserve to be considered when laws affecting their lives are debated.
I propose that the Government of India initiate a transparent review of the legal minimum marriage age, including consideration of a proposal to set it at 16 years for women and 19 years for men. This proposal should be evaluated through scientific evidence, healthcare research, educational considerations, constitutional principles, gender equality, and child-protection standards.
Respecting a Young Person's Wishes and Safety
Not every young person has a safe or supportive relationship with their family. Some face emotional abuse, threats, coercion, or physical violence because of their relationships or personal choices. Others may genuinely fear returning home or may not wish to continue living with their families.
When a young person expresses a wish to leave home, authorities should listen carefully, assess the circumstances, and take genuine safety concerns seriously. Family disagreement should not automatically be treated as proof that a young person is incapable of expressing a preference. At the same time, authorities must protect minors from coercion, exploitation, trafficking, forced marriage, and other forms of abuse.
Every case deserves an individual assessment rather than assumptions based solely on family allegations or a person's relationship status.
Preventing Misuse of Laws and Ensuring Fair Investigation
Laws such as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and kidnapping-related provisions exist to protect children and prevent exploitation. Their protective purpose must be respected.
However, concerns about possible false or malicious allegations should also be addressed through fair, impartial, and evidence-based investigations. An accusation should not automatically be treated as proof of guilt. Every accused person deserves due process, a fair opportunity to defend themselves, and a decision based on the evidence and applicable law.
Where a young person expresses a clear preference about a relationship or where allegations conflict with the available evidence, the circumstances should be examined carefully within the legal framework. A minor's statement and wishes may be important, but they do not automatically override statutory protections or determine whether an offence has occurred.
The objective should be to protect genuine victims, prevent exploitation, discourage malicious complaints, and ensure that innocent people are not unfairly punished. Both child safety and justice must matter.
A Call for Fair and Evidence-Based Legal Reform
I request the Government of India to consult legal experts, healthcare professionals, educators, child-rights organisations, social workers, and young people about the relationship between marriage-age laws, personal liberty, family safety, and criminal justice.
The government should consider whether existing legal safeguards and procedures adequately distinguish genuine abuse from disputed relationship cases, while preserving essential protections for minors.
I call for a transparent public consultation on my proposed marriage-age reform, alongside stronger safeguards against domestic abuse, fair investigations, legal support for vulnerable young people, and accountability for proven malicious allegations.
Our goal should be an India where young people are protected without ignoring their voices, families cannot use threats or violence to control them, genuine victims receive justice, and every accused person receives a fair investigation and due process.
Please sign this petition to support an informed public discussion and encourage lawmakers to examine these concerns responsibly.
The Decision Makers
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on 11 October 2026