Maharashtra Considers Mandatory Birth Dates on Wedding Cards to Curb Child Marriages
The Maharashtra government is considering making it mandatory for wedding invitations to include the birth dates of the bride and groom, as part of efforts to curb child marriages in the state.
Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare confirmed this during the question hour in the state legislature, responding to a query raised by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar. She stated that the department is consulting the Rural Development and Law and Judiciary departments to examine the feasibility of such a rule.
Tatkare said the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has requested procedural guidelines from the Rajasthan government, which has already implemented a similar requirement. Rajasthan mandates the inclusion of birth dates on wedding cards to help authorities verify the ages of the couple and prevent underage marriages.
Child marriage remains a significant concern in India despite the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, which sets the minimum age of marriage at 18 for women and 21 for men. According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-2021), 23.3% of women aged 20-24 in India were married before the age of 18. Maharashtra has seen a decline in child marriage rates, but cases still persist, particularly in rural and economically disadvantaged communities.
The proposed rule is intended to serve as a preventive measure by making age verification easier for marriage registrars and law enforcement. Wedding cards with birth dates would allow authorities to cross-check the ages of the couple before the marriage is solemnized, potentially reducing the number of illegal unions.
However, the government has not yet finalized the rule. Tatkare emphasized that consultations are ongoing with relevant departments to assess legal implications and administrative challenges. The minister also noted that the government is studying the Rajasthan model to understand its implementation and impact.
Child rights activists have welcomed the proposal, calling it a practical step toward enforcement. However, some experts caution that such a rule alone may not be sufficient without stronger community awareness and stricter penalties for violators. The government is also exploring other measures, including mandatory registration of marriages and increased scrutiny of mass wedding ceremonies.
The final decision on the rule will depend on the outcome of the ongoing consultations. If implemented, Maharashtra would join Rajasthan and a few other states in leveraging wedding invitations as a tool to combat child marriage.
