Backward to insist on under-18 marriage age

If we in the Hindu community in TT do not give serious thought to this requirement of modernity and, by extension, evolution, we run the risk of: (1) Being left behind in the march of time and progress.

(2) Many leaving our fold for a more modern and progressive way of life.

The re-codifying of Smrti for Yuga was always done by the Rishi- gana who were seers grounded in Sanatana Dharma. Today, however, we are faced with the terrifying prospect of it being re-codified by leaders of organisations who are grounded more in politics and power than in Sanatana Dharma.

In my view, it is indeed a retrograde step in this day and age to insist that the marriageable age for our children should be less than 18 years. We have a well established conventional agreement that an individual does not have the full capacity to make an informed judgment about who to vote for in an election (and many other judgments) until they have reached 18 years. How then can they make the most dramatic and life-changing decision about marriage? I fully support any law that will make the marriageable age 18 years or older.

To insist otherwise is Jurassic in nature and will make a relic of Sanatana Dharma in TT .

Swami Prakashananda via email