Himachal Pradesh Passes Bill to Raise Girls’ Marriage Age to 21

Shimla: Now no girl under the age of 21 can be forced to get married in Himachal Pradesh. The Himachal Pradesh Assembly has passed the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Himachal Pradesh Amendment) Bill, 2024 on Tuesday to enhance the marriageable age of girls from 18 to 21 years.

This bill has amended the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006. Himachal  Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dhani Ram Shandil tabled the Bill in the Vidhan Sabha and it was passed by the Himachal Assembly through a voice vote.

The amended Act will apply to all persons domiciled in the territory of Himachal notwithstanding anything contrary or inconsistent therewith contained in the Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872, the Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936, the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, the Special Marriage Act, 1954, the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, or any other law or custom or usage or practice in relation to marriage.