Decode Politics: Behind PMK pitch for parental nod for under-21 marriage, caste faultlines, ‘love jihad’ spectre

The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), a key BJP ally in Tamil Nadu, has reignited a row by promising, in its manifesto for the April 19 Lok Sabha elections, to make parental consent mandatory for marriages of individuals under the age of 21 years.

The PMK’s politics centres round the Vanniyar community, categorised among the Most Backward Classes (MBC), which accounts for a sizeable number of voters in northern Tamil Nadu. The party is contesting 10 Lok Sabha seats out of the state’s 39 as part of the BJP-led NDA.

Releasing the PMK’s manifesto Wednesday, party chief and Rajya Sabha MP Anbumani Ramadoss, son of party founder S Ramadoss, said its key pledge addresses concerns over young marriages impacting women’s education and health. “For a woman, 18 years is such a young age… if they get married at 18, there is no future and her education is also stopped,” he said.

The PMK claimed that its proposal would protect young women and preserve family structures. Citing similar examples from countries like Singapore, Philippines, Japan, and Brazil, the party argued that parental consent for marriages at young age would benefit Indian society.

The PMK claimed the Karnataka High Court has also “emphasised it”. The manifesto said, “In order to prevent young women from being deceived by premature love affairs, to protect the family structure, and to safeguard the future welfare of the youth, we will make it mandatory to obtain the consent of the parents from both sides for the marriage of individuals below 21 years of age.”

The manifesto also said, “The environment of insecurity for young women is increasing. Considering family advancement and economic livelihood, women who go to school and college, and those who go to work are affected by