: Madras High Court today dismissed a PIL seeking a direction to Central and state governments to amend the Hindu Marriage act by increasing the man's age by four years and the woman by three "as the present one is helpful only in their education and not their married lives."
"We are not inclined to entertain this public Interest Litigation for the reason that the issue is of Legislative Exercise having social ramifications and it is for the Government to examine the issue,"the first bench,comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M Sathyanarayanan, said.
The judges pointed out that a Division Bench of the Madras High Court at Madurai, dealing with a petition on a similar matter, had made suggestions to the Government for its consideration.
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K Ramesh, Managing Trustee of Tamil Nadu centre for Public Interest Litigation, Madurai, in his petition today contended that as per Hindu marriage act, the bride should be 18 years old and bridegroom, 21. But these ages could be helpful only in education and not married life 'as the ages are not maturity ages."
This was the reason why most marriages conducted at these ages lead to failure in life, he contended.
He further contended that it was the bounden duty of the Central and State Governments to enhance the ages, which is often recommended by various scientists and intellectuals.
Hence he prayed for a direction from the Court to the central and State Governments to amend Section 5(c)(iii) of Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, by increasing marriage age of the bridegroom from 21 to 25 and that of the bride from 18 to 21 so enable the couples lead a matured and peaceful life.
