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Journalism of Courage
Opposing the reduction in age of consensual sex from 18 to 16 years,Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Sunday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh urging him to reconsider the decision that can destroy social and cultural fabric of the country.
Noting that cross-sections of people in Chhattisgarh are disturbed by this metro-centric perspective on sexuality among the young,the CM said that it is ironic that the debate on stringent punishment for rape has been reduced to redefining age for consensual sex. He cautioned against separating marriage and sex,saying it seems to be viewpoint of a minority influenced by Western values,as it hits at the root of our family and social values,and affects the sanctity of marriage. He added that when legal age of marriage if 18,then reducing the age of consensual sex becomes paradoxical as youths may have sex at 16 but will have to wait for two years before they marry.
Pointing at prevalent anemia in rural areas,he said that sex at the age of 16 is not physically or psychologically desirable and may further expose youths to sexually transmitted diseases.
