Attaining the age of 18 is a parameter to say a boy or girl has become an adult. After reaching the age they can cast their vote right. The same age is being seen as a thing to do many things. 18 age is also the right age to do consent sex.
The age of consent for consensual relationships in India is 18. For the past few months, there is an opinion that the government might bring down the age by 2 years and make 16 the correct age of consent and live-in-relationships.
Amid this, the Union government made a big statement and said that there is no idea to reduce the age and that 18 will be the age of consent. As part of the ongoing Parliament winter sessions, a question was raised on the same in the house.
The question on whether the government is thinking to change the age of consent for consensual relationships to 16 years. Replying to the question, the concerned Minister Smriti Irani said there is no truth in this.
Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani gave a written reply saying that the government is not looking at that and that such a question will not arise.
Smriti Irani said that the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, 2012 was brought to protect children from sexual abuse, and people who are less than 18 falls under the category of Child, and based on that the punishment is given. She even said that the Act bats for strict punishment for the guilty.
Telling the Parliament house that the Act was brought to give protection to children from sexual crimes, Smriti Irani said there is no intention for the government to bring down the age. There is no question at all, she said.
Though sexual crimes bring strong punishments for the guilty. It gets even stricter and strong if the victims are below the age of 18. The suspects will be booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act which was brought to save the children from sexual crimes and attacks.
