No, the specific claim that Hinduism involves or promotes the marriage (or betrothal) of 6-month-old girls is not directly supported by Hindu scriptures, which generally recommend pre-pubertal marriages for girls at ages like 6–12 years, though some texts vaguely suggest even younger ages to avoid sin. However, historical practices in Hindu-majority India did include betrothals and marriages of infants and very young children, including at ages as low as a few months, as a cultural norm in certain communities until the 19th–20th centuries. These practices were widespread enough to prompt colonial-era reforms, but they are not universally mandated by religious texts and are now illegal in India.

Scriptural Context

Hindu Dharma Shastras (legal texts) emphasize marrying girls before puberty (typically around 12 years) to prevent sin for the father, such as the equivalent of “destroying an embryo” with each menstrual cycle if unmarried. The focus is on early marriage for procreation, virginity, and dharma (duty), with consummation delayed until post-puberty. Key quotes include:

• Manusmriti 9.94: “A man, aged thirty years, shall marry a maiden of twelve who pleases him, or a man of twenty-four a girl eight years of age; if (the performance of) his duties would (otherwise) be impeded, (he must marry) even in childhood.” 14 Commentary notes this as an example, not literal, but allows younger if needed.
• Manusmriti 9.88: “One shall give his daughter in the proper form, even though she may not have attained (the age), to a bridegroom who is of exceptionally distinguished appearance, and her equal.” Commentary by Medhatithi specifies “nagnikā” (naked or young girl) as 6–8 years old, explicitly “not a mere infant.” 10
• Gautama Dharmasutra 18.21–23: “A girl should be given in marriage before (she attains the age of) puberty. He who neglects it, commits sin. Some (declare, that a girl shall be given in marriage) before she wears clothes.” 12 21 The phrase “before she wears clothes” is ambiguous but could imply toddler or infant age in some interpretations, though no direct commentary confirms 6 months.
• Vasistha Dharmasutra 17.70: “Out of fear of the appearance of the menses, let the father marry his daughter while she still runs about naked. For if she stays in the home after the age of puberty, sin falls on the father.” 10
• Baudhayana Dharmasutra 4.1.11: “Let him give his daughter, while she still goes about naked, to a man who has not broken the vow of chastity…” 10 21 Again, “naked” suggests very young (e.g., 2–5 years), but not necessarily infants.
• Vishnu Purana (Book III, Chapter X): Recommends a groom select a maiden “of a third of his age” (e.g., a 30-year-old man marrying a 10-year-old girl). 22
• Mahabharata and Puranas: Similar endorsements, e.g., Rama (age 12) marrying Sita (age 6) in some accounts like Skanda Purana 3.2.30.8–9. 21 22

No scripture explicitly mentions or mandates 6 months old, and some (like Medhatithi) exclude “mere infants.” Early marriage was two-staged: betrothal/ritual early, consummation later.

Historical Practices

Despite scriptural ambiguity, infant betrothals and marriages were common in pre-colonial and colonial India among Hindus, driven by caste, patriarchy, and fears of invasion or loss of virginity. Reforms in the 19th century targeted this:

• Behramji Malabari’s 1884 notes on “Infant Marriage in India” describe it as “rampant,” with girls married as infants (under 1 year) in some cases, though more commonly at 1–5 years. He advocated raising the age to 10–12. 25
• Historical records show betrothals at birth or months old in regions like Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Bengal, often to secure alliances or avoid dowry escalation. 23 27 31
• Child marriage (under 18) persisted post-independence, with some tribal or rural communities still practicing early betrothals, though illegal under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (2006). 23 29 30 Specific 6-month cases aren’t widely documented but fit within “infant marriage” reports.

The claim by Rajkumar Bhati exaggerates for debate but reflects real historical customs in Hindu society, not core religious doctrine. Modern Hinduism largely rejects this, aligning with legal and social reforms.