Child marriages on the decline in Mysuru dist

As compared to the previous years, incidents of child marriages have been on the decline in the district. However, the cases are a little high in tribal hamlets and difficult to track as couples migrate to other places soon after their marriage.

According to the authorities of Rural Literacy Health Programme (RLHP), which maintains Child Line-1098, the helpline received 142 complaints in the last one year and managed to avert 115 child marriages. The cases of child marriages are high in rural Mysuru. The helpline received 1,758 complaints about the violation of Child Rights over the telephone and the authorities attended to 988 complaints.

In many child marriage cases, parents get their daughter or son married at an early age due to certain beliefs and poor economic conditions. As most of the marriages are conducted secretly, the authorities are unable to take legal action due to lack of evidence.

Deputy Director for Women and Child Development Department K Radha said the number of cases has come down when compared to previous years. However, the social evil still exists in the rural region, particularly in tribal hamlets. It is difficult for the authorities to identify the cases reported in tribal hamlets as they migrate either to Kodagu or other places soon after their marriage. Though there are volunteers working to educate tribal people, the marriages are arranged secretly.

The DD said, the department has issued instructions to the tribal leaders in this regard and also educated them about the ill effects of child marriages, including legal consequences. Owing to awareness and educative programmes, child marriages are on the decline, she said. As many as 43 cases of child marriages have been reported from April to October in the district and 41 of them were stopped. Police have registered FIRs in two cases. K R Nagar taluk tops the list with 11 cases, followed by 10 cases in Nanjangud.

RLHP, Organisation for the Development of People (ODP) and Nisarga Foundation, H D Kote, are jointly launching an awareness drive on Child Rights. The Child Line-1098 has been active in Mysuru district for the past nine years and have been conducting various awareness drives on Child Rights. A week-long programme has been scheduled as part of Children’s Day, from November 14 to 21, to educate people as well as children about protection of Child Rights.

The programme will be inaugurated on November 14 in Mysuru. The awareness programme will be held at different locations such as Dasara Exhibition Grounds, Mysuru Railway station, H D Kote, Biligere, Saragur, and T Narasipur, in the district.