There were some reports in the Times of India over the last couple of days , which I would first like to share and here are some excerpts:
"... twelve year old children will be allowed to have non penetrative sex with others their age, according to the draft protection of Children From Sexual Offences Bill, 2010 which has been sent to the States for their views by the Ministry of women and child development...The bill also seeks to introduce a gradation in the age of consensual non-penetrative sex (12-14 years and 14-16 years) against the existing age of consent for sex which is 16 years! ...
While a senior official of the ministry confirmed that the bill has been sent to the states, the law minister Veerappa Moily said he was not aware of it ? He said - Twelve years is anyway not a proper age for a sexual act....
Under the existing law, if two 12 year-olds get physical and if one child's parent complains, the other can be pulled up by the Juvenile Justice Board. The panel felt such minor things should be decriminalized, said Aparna Bhat, a Supreme court lawyer who was part of a National Commission for Protection of Child Rights group that drafted the latest bill.
Raj Mangal, chairperson of the Delhi Child Welfare Committee, said the bill could be disastrous if it comes into effect. "Twelve, given the mind and maturity of a child, is not the age to give consent. In the name of decriminalizing , you can't keep sexual acts of two children out of the notice of the authorities, she added...."
Fist I have few questions:
• Is this supposed to be a Child Protection Bill? How this revision protects?
• Are we trying to protect the children in general or trying to protect some children, who are currently affected by the current age limit of 16 ?
• What is the immediate need for this?
• Will the authorities concerned, who want this revision, come out with data on how many of the children have been affected by the existing rule or by the lack of the suggested revision?
• By passage of time, say in the next 5 to 6 years, will there be another revision which could change the age limit to 8-10 years from the proposed 12- 14 years ? What is the long term vision of the Government on this?
• Last but not the least, what are those "Minor things"?
Where are we leading our children to ? In the name of protection, are we leading our children to indulgence without any fear of legal ramifications? Are there not more important supportive bills that our children need, such as for education, dwelling units, child labour..?
At the age of 12, considered to be impressionable age, I have heard many 'moral' stories from my parents and we used to have 'moral instructions ' sessions in schools. It is hard to digest this happening in the land of Rama (the symbol of Eka Pathini) and Bhagavat Gita! But now by this act, are we trying to let them loose? Will Bharathiyar, who was a strong advocate of the emancipation of women be happy at this enhanced freedom ? He should be stirring in his grave.
By the by, who from other states is involved in such decisions? For such important decisions, how is the people of this country, of such diverse culture, consulted? It would be interesting to know the reaction of our tamilian gaurdians to this proposal. The report has also quoted other countries such as " the age of consent in US is between 16 and 18 years, depending on the state they live in; in the UK, it is 16 and Spain has one of the lowest ages of consent , at 13 years..."
Are we trying to beat everyone in the game- nice attempt to stay ahead of others !
Also it is amusing to observe that we selectively ape the practice of other countries, wherever it is convenient for us. We ape them for free sex, in our comical attire of full suit and tie in a tropical country. But, when it comes to working for the full hours in the office, punctuality, adherence to norms, road discipline, cleanliness etc., we create our own Indian culture !
Indeed, our young generation, has a very challenging period ahead. Jai Hind
"... twelve year old children will be allowed to have non penetrative sex with others their age, according to the draft protection of Children From Sexual Offences Bill, 2010 which has been sent to the States for their views by the Ministry of women and child development...The bill also seeks to introduce a gradation in the age of consensual non-penetrative sex (12-14 years and 14-16 years) against the existing age of consent for sex which is 16 years! ...
While a senior official of the ministry confirmed that the bill has been sent to the states, the law minister Veerappa Moily said he was not aware of it ? He said - Twelve years is anyway not a proper age for a sexual act....
Under the existing law, if two 12 year-olds get physical and if one child's parent complains, the other can be pulled up by the Juvenile Justice Board. The panel felt such minor things should be decriminalized, said Aparna Bhat, a Supreme court lawyer who was part of a National Commission for Protection of Child Rights group that drafted the latest bill.
Raj Mangal, chairperson of the Delhi Child Welfare Committee, said the bill could be disastrous if it comes into effect. "Twelve, given the mind and maturity of a child, is not the age to give consent. In the name of decriminalizing , you can't keep sexual acts of two children out of the notice of the authorities, she added...."
Fist I have few questions:
• Is this supposed to be a Child Protection Bill? How this revision protects?
• Are we trying to protect the children in general or trying to protect some children, who are currently affected by the current age limit of 16 ?
• What is the immediate need for this?
• Will the authorities concerned, who want this revision, come out with data on how many of the children have been affected by the existing rule or by the lack of the suggested revision?
• By passage of time, say in the next 5 to 6 years, will there be another revision which could change the age limit to 8-10 years from the proposed 12- 14 years ? What is the long term vision of the Government on this?
• Last but not the least, what are those "Minor things"?
Where are we leading our children to ? In the name of protection, are we leading our children to indulgence without any fear of legal ramifications? Are there not more important supportive bills that our children need, such as for education, dwelling units, child labour..?
At the age of 12, considered to be impressionable age, I have heard many 'moral' stories from my parents and we used to have 'moral instructions ' sessions in schools. It is hard to digest this happening in the land of Rama (the symbol of Eka Pathini) and Bhagavat Gita! But now by this act, are we trying to let them loose? Will Bharathiyar, who was a strong advocate of the emancipation of women be happy at this enhanced freedom ? He should be stirring in his grave.
By the by, who from other states is involved in such decisions? For such important decisions, how is the people of this country, of such diverse culture, consulted? It would be interesting to know the reaction of our tamilian gaurdians to this proposal. The report has also quoted other countries such as " the age of consent in US is between 16 and 18 years, depending on the state they live in; in the UK, it is 16 and Spain has one of the lowest ages of consent , at 13 years..."
Are we trying to beat everyone in the game- nice attempt to stay ahead of others !
Also it is amusing to observe that we selectively ape the practice of other countries, wherever it is convenient for us. We ape them for free sex, in our comical attire of full suit and tie in a tropical country. But, when it comes to working for the full hours in the office, punctuality, adherence to norms, road discipline, cleanliness etc., we create our own Indian culture !
Indeed, our young generation, has a very challenging period ahead. Jai Hind
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