Faced with severe criticism, Congress-led UDF government in Kerala on Friday modified its controversial circular issued to legalise marriages of Muslim women in age group of 16 to 18 and men below 21, making it clear that the order will not have prospective effect. The new circular issued by the Local Self-Government department clarified the marriages of women in the age of 16 to 18 and men under 21 took place till June 27 would be valid but the weddings of women below 18 and men 21 from Friday onwards would be invalid.
The earlier circular was not meant for any exemption for new marriages. It was only for regularising marriages of men under 21 years and girls below 18 but over 16 that had already been solemnised, it was stated. The state cabinet, which had met on June 26, decided to have a re-look at the circular as it felt that the order's true intent had been "misunderstood" and "misinterpreted". The government also made it clear that child marriage would not in any way be encouraged and strict action would be taken in such cases as per law.
The earlier circular authorised civic authorities to legally register the marriage of Muslim women above 16 years of age. Left parties and their women and youth outfits have come out strongly against the circular, alleging it was meant to reduce the marriage age by circumventing legislations passed by Parliament and the orders of Supreme Court on the matter. The department had justified the circular on the ground it was meant to overcome difficulties posed to Muslim couples already married in getting passports and other documents for migration to foreign countries for work.
The circular assumed a political dimension as Local Self Governance department is under Indian Union Muslim League, the second largest partner in the ruling coalition led by Congress.
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