June 4, 2013
BANGALORE: If you thought only impoverished districts in Karnataka were marrying off their little girls, you're wrong. The women and child welfare department gets at least four cases of child marriage every week in the IT city.
June 4, 2013
BANGALORE: If you thought only impoverished districts in Karnataka were marrying off their little girls, you're wrong. The women and child welfare department gets at least four cases of child marriage every week in the IT city.
And these figures are going up every month. Officials of the Child Marriage Prohibition Cell of the department were shocked when they got a complaint of a panchayat development officer (PDO) in Moodalayapalya in Bangalore West who was all set to marry a 13-year-old girl. "Her parents said they wanted to marry off their daughter before her grandmother dies. The groom said he didn't want to hurt the sentiments of his parents," officials told TOI.
The cell's timely intervention ensures that most of these marriages are prevented. And it's not just family sentiments which are the reasons. MS Jayaswamy, joint director of the department, said many parents give poverty as the main reason and early marriage is one way to get rid of the "responsibility".
M Veena, deputy director (child marriage prohibition cell), said superstitious beliefs such as getting married the girl within a year after any death in the family, etc., are also reasons for such marriages. "We're creating more awareness regarding the law pertaining to child marriages and the ill-effects of such early marriages," she added.
Recently, chief minister Siddaramaiah called upon government officials to totally eliminate social evils like child marriage and child labor. Contrary to popular belief, child marriage is quite prevalent in the IT city as per data gathered from the women and child welfare department. This social evil is often goaded by superstitious beliefs where families get their girls married within a year after any death in the family.
What does the law say?
As per the provisions of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, persons who perform, conduct or direct or abet any child marriage can be punished. These include a male adult above 18 years marrying a child and any person having charge of the child. If found guilty, the punishment can be two years of rigorous imprisonment or Rs 1 lakh fine or both. All offences are enquirable and non-bailable.
If you come across any attempt of child marriage, contact the nearest child marriage prohibition officer or nearest police station. You can also call the child helpline 1098 which takes complaints 24/7
RECENT CASES IN TECH CITY TALES OF TRAUMA AND TEARS
- In May, a 13-year-old girl was rescued near Konanakunte Cross. Police were tipped off by women and child welfare department.
- A few weeks ago, in Rajgopalnagar, parents decided to marry off their 17-year-old daughter after they found she was allegedly in love with a boy from another caste. The marriage was stopped and parents were produced before the child welfare committee.
- In Avalahalli, a few weeks ago, parents wanted to conduct the marriage of their 16-year-old daughter who was getting ready to write her CBSE Class 10 exam all because the girl's grandmother was not well and she wanted to see the girl married before she died.
Courtesy: TOI
