Child marriage is still not declared void ab initio. Adults who get children married to each other are committing a crime but the marriage itself is not void or illegal. It is valid until those children reject it when they grow up, that too within a stipulated time.
Moreover, merely leaving childhood spouse is not enough. Either of the party have to approach court to get the marriage declared invalid. Mr. Modi left home but never approached court. His marriage is still valid. But his wife probably doesn't have marriage certificate.
Child marriage should be declared void ab initio, like it never happened, but govt refuses on similar grounds that they refuse to criminalize marital rape. Govt reasons: "India is poor illiterate unique sensitive culture". In such cases a registration can actually help.
Often child marriages and forced upon girls, and are not allowed to reject when they become adult. Putting up a fight becomes difficult for them because they don't know when it happened, who arranged it, what to tell the court. Registration certificate would help in such cases.
That said, child marriage should be declared completely illegal or void ab initio by a central legislation. That responsibility is on Modi. He can pass laws in a single day. Or even in 10 mins. But then BJP leaders attend mass child marriage ceremonies, so...
This is from 2018: BJP govt was planning to make it completely illegal but it has not yet happened. Unless it happens registration of even child marriage is a good idea as it will help the girls who are the largest victim of child marriage. hindustantimes.com/india-news/fro…
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