Goa, July 26 -- 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 (PO...