Child marriage rampant despite legislation: Judge

Dharwad: Senior civil judge R S Chinnannavar regretted that despite the passing of laws to prevent child marriages in India, the practice continues and nearly 60 per cent of the marriages are child marriages.
Speaking after inaugurating a workshop organized for official from different departments to sensitize them on the laws to prevent child marriage here on Friday, he blamed the laxity on part of officers responsible for preventing the practice.

He said the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006 provides for punishment to those getting married before attaining the prescribed age, those performing the marriage and those encouraging the practice. It is the responsibility of the officers in various departments who have been tasked to collect information and prevent the marriage, he said.

The judge said that, marrying off a girl before she attains the appropriate age leads to several mental and physical problems and spoil’s the girl’s life. Considering all these aspects the government has passed the legislation to prevent the child marriage.

Zilla panchayat CEO Snehal said the education department should pay attention to the menace of child marriage and keep a watch on girls failing in tenth standard and on those who remain absent for a long time. It is important to ensure that the harassment of girls at home and other places is prevented, she said.

District health officer Dr Rajendra Doddamani, DDPI N H Nagur and others also spoke.