Sarma: People with feudal mindset against crackdown on child marriage in Assam

Guwahati: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said in the assembly on Monday that a “feudal” mindset was trying to instigate the poor people against the BJP-led government’s ongoing drive to root out child marriage in the state.
“MLAs, doctors and engineers do not have so many children. But when the government tries to do something for the poor, to save these young girls, they instigate the people that BJP is trying to interfere in their lives,” he said.
“This is a feudal mindset that seeks one way of life for themselves, and another for the poor people,” Sarma added.
Sarma told the house that the state has set itself on course to make it free of child marriages by 2026 and will carry out special drives every two to three months besides engaging a battery of advocates to ensure conviction of the guilty.
“Rs 200 crore has been allocated in next year’s budget for fighting child marriage, and a part of it will be used for paying advocates so that conviction is ensured,” he said, while replying to a question by Congress MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha.
“Besides, a dedicated helpline, awareness drives and rehabilitation of victims, among other steps, will also be undertaken,” he added.
“If I see a 22-year-old girl getting admission for post-graduation in Guwahati, when I visit places such as Chenga or Baghbor, I see a girl of the same age with two children in her arms and two in front of her,” he said.
The CM said the drive against child marriage was being done as per law and hence, the court was not giving bail to the accused.