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THE JAINA GAZETTE 4. The Amendment of 1925, was useful so lar as it created the public opinion in raising the age of marriage but not the least in protecting girl-wives against cohabitation. Neither pressure of public opinion nor any legislation can serve to regulate the relations of married couple and keep them off from consummation of marriage-rites. What would do is to make a legislation fixing the minimum age for marriage, on the lines of Sarda Bill as amended by the Select Committee.
5. Generally the age of attaining puberty is between 12 and 13 years. If it does differ at all in communities, castes, or classes of society, the difference is negligible.
6. Cohabitation is rare belore puberty, though not uncommon in cases (2) and (3). Such cases generally do not come to court.
7. The Jain religion does not enjoin anything regarding the age or time of consummation of marriage. There are neither any notions prevalent among the community attributable to religious doctrines. There is no consummation of marriage before puberty.
8. Yes, it generally coincides with the consummation of marriage. It is generally performed after a short time of attinment of puberty and not before puberty.
9. This question can best be replied by medical men. Probably physical development sufficient to justify consummation does not take place until a year or two after the attainment of puberty.
10. Not before 16 years. 11. Such cases are sadly too many to quote. 12. Yes, to a very great extent.
13. No, if any, it is restricted to educated classes and even among them to the forward section.
14. The opinion is divided, but it is tending to be against rather than for it.
15. Yes. Such difficulties are often met. We cannot suggest any remedies except that the birth-day registration
entries be made more complete, witnesses and doctors made Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
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