Anti-rape Bill: Age of consent becomes bone of contention

New Delhi, March 18: It seems political parties are not ready to build a consensus to help the passage of Anti-rape Bill in the Parliament. Media reports say the all-party meet on the Bill on Monday remained inconclusive.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath told media persons that there are divergent views on age of consent and there will be another round of meeting at 12:30 pm.

Moreover, several political parties--DMK, TDP, RJD and BJP--failed to turn up for the meeting.

Political parties are divided over whether age of consent for consensual sex should be lowered down from 18 to 16. Thus the passage of anti-rape Bill in the Parliament may not be easy for Congress-led UPA government.

Time is sort, as the bill has to be passed by April 4 of the ongoing Budget session.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has suggested consultations with states on the anti-rape Bill. TMC leader Sudip Bandhopadhyay said, "TMC is in favour of a strong bill. Since the state governments are implementing authorities, state governments should be brought on board and their opinions must be taken as well."

Government through the Bill is planning to lower the age of consent for consensual sex from 18 to 16. Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) favours a strong anti-rape Bill, but it strongly opposes the lowering of age to 16 years.

"We will oppose the bill at the all-party meeting. If it is brought for voting in parliament, the SP will vote against it," party leader Ram Gopal Yadav had said Friday.

And BJP leader Najma Heptulla had said, "If a person below 18 is a juvenile and is given relaxed punishments because he is not mature enough to know the consequences of what he is doing, how is a child of 16 mature enough to consent to sexual activity?"

"BJP agrees with most issues stated in the Bill and would like it to be passed. But some sections in the party have reservations on decreasing the age of consent from 18 to 16 years. We will take a final call on these issues after discussing it in the party," a senior party leader said.

Even Trinamool Congress (TMC) opposes lowering the age to 16 years. SP, RJD and JD (U) are uncomfortable with clauses dealing with voyeurism and stalking.

OneIndia News