Mumbai, Maharashtra: The Maharashtra government is considering a new measure aimed at preventing child marriages in the state. Under the proposed system, wedding invitation cards could be required to carry the dates of birth of both the bride and groom.
The move is being considered as part of efforts to identify and prevent underage marriages before they take place. If implemented, printing presses and marriage halls could also be brought into the compliance process, making them more accountable for verifying the age details provided for a wedding.
Government Exploring Legal Framework
The proposal was discussed by Maharashtra Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare in the state Assembly. The government is examining how the proposal can be given a legal framework and how it can be implemented effectively at the ground level.
The basic idea is simple: if the bride and groom's dates of birth are clearly mentioned on the invitation card, it could make it easier for families, relatives and authorities to identify cases where either person may be below the legal marriageable age.
Rajasthan Model Being Studied
Maharashtra is also looking at measures adopted in Rajasthan to tackle child marriage. The state government is studying the Rajasthan approach to understand whether a similar system can be effectively introduced in Maharashtra.
Officials believe that making age information more visible could create an additional layer of scrutiny around marriages and help authorities intervene before an underage marriage takes place.
What Could Change for Families?
If the proposal is formally implemented, families approaching a printing press for wedding invitations may have to provide valid age-related documents for both the bride and groom.
The dates of birth mentioned in those documents could then be printed on the wedding invitation. Printing establishments and other venues associated with the wedding may also have responsibilities under the proposed system.
However, the exact procedure, documents required and penalties will depend on the final legal framework and government guidelines.
Child Rights Commission Recommendation
The proposal has also been linked to a recommendation from the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights. The recommendation calls for the dates of birth of the bride and groom to be displayed on wedding invitations as a way of making age verification easier.
The government believes that such a measure could help create greater awareness about the legal age for marriage and strengthen efforts to prevent child marriage across Maharashtra.
For now, the proposal is under consideration, and the final rules and implementation mechanism will depend on the government's subsequent decision.