Child marriage among Muslims in Kerala

The issue of child marriage among Muslims in Kerala was addressed by a circular issued on 14 June 2013 by the social-welfare department of the Indian Union Muslim League (part of Kerala's ruling United Democratic Front (UDF)). The circular instructs marriage registrars to register Muslim marriages even if the parties have not attained the age fixed by the Child Marriage Act. Political parties and Muslim women's organisations have said that this would encourage child marriages. Following an amendment, only underage marriages occurring before 28 June 2013 could be registered.^[1][2] Nine prominent Muslim organisations in Kerala took legal action seeking exemption from the community marriage-age restrictions,^[3][4] saying that the minimum marriage age for women (fixed at 18 by the Child Marriage Act) as well as its Supreme Court endorsement infringe on the Muslim law.^[5]

Background

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) opposes the Child Marriage Act on the grounds that it contravenes the Muslim personal law.^[6][7] According to a survey by the Integrated Child Development Scheme, of the 3,400 girls aged 13 to 18 married in Malappuram, Kerala in 2012, 2,800 were Muslims. In 2008, 4,249 of the 4,955 brides in child marriages were Muslims. Although most Muslim religious organisations and clerics have defended the government circular, Muslim women have opposed it.^[8]

Examples

A 28-year-old United Arab Emirates (UAE) citizen, Jasem Mohammed Abdul Karim Abdulahmed, married a 17-year-old girl from an orphanage in Malappuram on 13 June 2013. He left the country after two weeks, divorcing her by telephone with a triple talaq.^[9] Outrage over child marriage is believed to have been triggered by this incident,^[10] and the Kerala High Court later halted the marriage of a 14-year-old girl from Kannur.^[11]

Film

Aryadan Shoukath's film on the topic, Paadam Onnu: Oru Vilapam, received national acclaim.^[12]

Opposition

The Students' Federation of India organised meetings at colleges across the state to protest the move by Muslim organisations to legally challenge the minimum age of marriage, demonstrating their opposition by wearing gags.^[13][14] Communist Party of India (Marxist) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said that the IUML was trying to polarise the community to influence Lok Sabha elections and deny educational rights to Muslim girls by lowering their marriageable age.^[15] Opposition leader and former Chief Minister of Kerala V. S. Achuthanandan condemned the move by some Muslim organisations to reduce the marriageable age of Muslim girls,^[16] and the Kerala Women’s Commission has also condemned child marriage.^[17]

References

1. "Underage marriage among Muslims in Kerala ignites debate - Indian Express". Archive.indianexpress.com. 2013-10-03. Retrieved 2014-06-10.
2. Ananthakrishnan G. (2013-06-24). "Child marriage row in Kerala". Telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 2014-06-10.
3. "Keralite Muslim group wants Supreme Court to legalise child marriage". daily.bhaskar.com. 2013-09-22. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
4. "Muslim groups want minimum marital age scrapped : Featured, News - India Today". Indiatoday.intoday.in. 2013-09-22. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
5. "Marriage Age Row: CPI(M) Says IUML Behind Move". Outlookindia.com. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
6. Special Correspondent (2013-09-22). "Muslim groups oppose ban on child marriage". The Hindu. Retrieved 2014-06-10.
7. "Muslim organizations in Kerala root for under-18 marriage - The Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 2013-09-22. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
8. "Legalising underage marriage is Indian Union Muslim League's new ploy to gain political mileage in Kerala : NATION - India Today". Indiatoday.intoday.in. Retrieved 2014-06-10.
9. Special Correspondent (2013-11-23). "Child marriage: plea to extradite Arab national". The Hindu. Retrieved 2014-06-10.
10. R K Nair (2013-10-18). "The politics of child marriage | Business Line". Thehindubusinessline.com. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
11. "Court stops a 14-year-old girl from married off - The Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 2013-08-31. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
12. R Gopakumar, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, June 19, DHNS:. "Child marriages high in Kerala". Deccanherald.com. Retrieved 2014-06-10.
13. "SFI organises protest meetings". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
14. "SFI call on marriage age of girls". The Hindu. 2013-09-24. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
15. "Marriageable age: Pinarayi flays IUML". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
16. "Outfits under IUML patronage challenging law of the land: VS". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
17. "'Officers must take proactive steps to check child marriages'". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2014-06-12.