Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jan 14: Former Madhya Pradesh minister and Congress leader Sajjan Singh Vermacriticisedthe statement made by MP chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan where the latter asked forraising themarriageable ageof girls from 18 to 21. The senior Congress leader in a retortquestioned Chouhan and stated that since a girl is ready for reproduction by 15, there was no need to raise the marriageable to 21. "According to doctors, a girl is ready for reproduction by the age of 15. Is chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan a doctor or a scientist? So, on what basis does girls' marriage age should be increased from 18 to 21," Verma questioned while speaking at a press conference.

"What is the logic behind saying that girls' marriage age should be increased to 21 from 18," he further said.

Verma was responding to the reporters when questioned about the statement made by the chief minister at a 'Nari Samman' programme wherein Chouhan said that the minimum age of marriage for girls should be increased from 18 to 21.

Verma attacked theMP government and said that the BJP government has failed to protect minor girls. "Madhya Pradesh has topped when it comes to the number of rapes against minors. The chief minister is playing politics full of hypocrisy, instead of taking strict action in such cases," he added.

Earlier,CM Chouhan, while speaking at a felicitation ceremony to honour those working for the safety of girl childhad saidthat therewas a decline of crime against women by 15 per cent in the state since past nine months after he assumed power.

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'Girls can reproduce by 15, why raise their marriageable age to 21' - Congress MLA - Daijiworld.com