‘Read Manusmriti, girls used to give birth at the age of 17’- Gujarat High Court

Gujarat High Court: ‘Earlier it was normal to get married at the age of 14-15 and to become a mother at the age of 17.’ These remarks were made orally by the Gujarat High Court on the petition of a 17-year-old minor seeking termination of her seven-month-old foetus. The Gujarat High Court made this comment citing Manusmriti. According to the Live Law website, the Gujarat High Court was hearing a petition filed by a minor rape victim.

During this, Gujarat High Court Justice Sameer J Dave orally said, ‘Because we are living in the 21st century, ask your mother or great-grandmother, 14-15 years was the maximum age to get married. The child used to take birth before the age of 17 years. Girls mature before boys. You will not read it, but for this read Manusmriti once.