Child marriages shadow Akshaya Tritiya celebrations:Authorities stopped 27,000 underage weddings in a year, yet incidents continue

On the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, a festival often linked with mass marriages, concerns over child marriages continue to surface across the state, highlighting persistent social challenges despite administrative efforts. Case from Rajgarh highlights ground reality On April 14, the Women and Child Development Department received information about preparations for a child marriage in Kushalpura village of Rajgarh district. When the team reached the spot, locals allegedly tried to mislead them by presenting a young man as the groom after applying ceremonial turmeric. Facing resistance from villagers, the team had to return. Later, the wedding procession reached Devakhedi, where an 8-year-old girl was married to a 10-year-old boy. The administration was informed only after the girl’s departure on April 15, following which a case was registered. Multiple cases surface post-facto This is not an isolated incident. In Rajgarh district alone, 75 cases of child marriage came to light between March and August 2025, when minor brides reached the district hospital for childbirth. Over 27,000 child marriages prevented According to the NGO Just Rights for Children, a total of 27,114 child marriages were prevented in the last year across 41 districts, in coordination with the administration. Ravikant, the national coordinator of the organization, emphasized the need to hold officials accountable to effectively curb the practice. Special teams deployed for Akshaya Tritiya To prevent child marriages on Akshaya Tritiya, the Women and Child Development Department has formed special teams across the state, including Bhopal. Officials have stressed that public awareness plays a crucial role in stopping such practices. Citizens can report suspected cases by dialing 112 or informing project officers, local police stations, or Anganwadi workers. Call for public vigilance Naqi Jahan Qureshi, Joint Director of Women and Child Development, Bhopal division, said that increased awareness among citizens has significantly contributed to preventing child marriages. However, authorities continue to rely on timely information from the public to take swift action and protect minors. Despite preventive measures and increased vigilance, incidents like the Rajgarh case underline that child marriage remains a deep-rooted issue, especially during auspicious occasions like Akshaya Tritiya.