The Central government has firmly opposed any move to lower the age of consent for sexual activity below 18 years, stating that such a change would compromise the safety and rights of minors. In an affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati underscored that reducing the age of consent, even under the guise of teenage romance, is not advisable and could have far-reaching negative consequences.
The Centre stressed that the emotional vulnerability and silence of minors could be exploited, potentially allowing sexual offenders to misuse legal loopholes. “Any dilution of the age limit would weaken critical child protection laws like the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS),” the affidavit stated.
While the government acknowledged that courts may exercise discretion in specific cases involving consensual teenage relationships, it insisted that the age of consent must continue to be legally and uniformly fixed at 18 years. Allowing exceptions, it warned, could roll back hard-won protections and undermine constitutional safeguards meant for children.
The affidavit emphasized that the 18-year threshold is rooted in India’s constitutional framework and international obligations, and relaxing this standard could lead to the misuse of “consent” as a defense in cases of sexual exploitation.
The Supreme Court is currently hearing petitions seeking reconsideration of the age of consent, particularly in the context of consensual relationships among adolescents.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)