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New Delhi (AsiaNews) – India passed a law banning child marriage. Anyone, priests, police or local leaders, can face jail time and fines if they permit this widespread but illegal practice. On December 14, the Upper House of the Indian parliament, the Rajya Sabha or Council of States, approved the Prohibition of Child Marriage Prevention bill.

Under current law women under the age of 18 and men under the age of 21 cannot marry, but in many rural areas marrying off minors is still widespread; it is even approved by some religions. In many villages, residents tend not to think in terms of the social and health consequences of premature marriage, especially for girls.

Now, under the new law, adults who marry minors and anyone who aids and abets child marriages or takes part in one risks up to two years in jail and a fine of up to 100,000 rupees (US$ 2,240).

Renuka Chaudhary, the minister for Women and Children Development, said that Prohibition of Child Marriage bill gives protection to tens of thousands of children forced into marriage every year.

“When we tell our children that they cannot vote when they are 15 years of age, [when] we do not allow them to drive or drink, then how is it that we think that they are capable of getting married?,” Chowdhury asked the Lok Sabha. “The nation cannot not take a leap forward if 72 per cent of its population, comprising women and children, lagged behind,” she added.

Now government officials must act to stop the practice and prosecute anyone who violates the law.

For girls the problem is more serious. Many families want to marry them off as soon as possible fearing they might lose their virginity before marriage.

If a child marriage is annulled, families often do not want their daughters back.

Under the law if a marriage is annulled, the husband, i.e. his guardians if he is under age, must maintain the girl until she remarries.

“We welcome this timely law,” Mgr John Baptist Thakur, bishop of Muzaffapur, told AsiaNews, “but it should not remain mere legislation. It should raise awareness in the general public. Here in the Bihar nuns are helping even in the remotest villages in women’s and children’s development. It is a tragedy that so many children are denied their childhood and sent to work in situations of virtual slavery, weaving or making fireworks”.

“In states like Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan child marriages are common,” the prelate explained. “It is commendable that priests, police and local leaders are made accountable and might face prison terms and fines. However, I welcome this legislation especially since its primary purpose it to redress this grave social evil. The Church has for decades being involved in rooting out this evil practice of child marriage.”

“The Church is tirelessly involved in child development, providing the poor with basic education, a midday meal and medical care without any consideration for caste or creed.”