NGO and Rajasthan Administration Halt 13 Child Marriages on Akshaya Tritiya
In a significant intervention on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, the Gayatri Seva Sansthan (GSS), a non-governmental organization dedicated to child rights protection, in close coordination with the district administration, successfully prevented 13 child marriages that were scheduled to take place across various districts of Rajasthan. This coordinated effort underscores the growing vigilance against the practice of child marriage in the state.
District-Wise Breakdown of Prevented Marriages
Of the total 13 cases intercepted, nine were stopped in the Udaipur district, while two each were prevented in Pratapgarh and Sikar districts. The swift action was initiated after the NGO provided crucial information to the authorities, leading to immediate administrative and police intervention.
Yashoda Paniya, the acting chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) in Udaipur, highlighted that prompt measures were taken by the administration and the Dabok Police Station upon receiving intelligence from the organization. This resulted in the prevention of six child marriages in a single village alone.
High Court Directives and Local Accountability
Local officials, including the patwari, gram secretary, and sarpanch, were summoned and thoroughly briefed on the directives issued by the Rajasthan High Court. The court, while hearing a petition filed by Just Rights for Children, has explicitly held gram panchayats accountable for any failure to prevent child marriages within their jurisdictions, emphasizing their legal and moral responsibility in such cases.
In view of safety concerns, one boy and one girl were placed in a shelter home with the support of Gayatri Seva Sansthan, ensuring their protection from potential harm.
Reward Initiative and Confidential Helpline
Shailendra Pandya, Director of Gayatri Seva Sansthan, revealed that the organization announced a reward of Rs 1,100 for individuals providing credible information about child marriages on Akshaya Tritiya across five districts. The initiative guarantees strict confidentiality for informants, encouraging community participation without fear of reprisal.
He stated that this month-long campaign was carried out in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority, Child Welfare Committee, and Child Helpline. A dedicated helpline number was also issued to facilitate reporting and ensure timely intervention.
Sustained Campaigns and Broader Efforts
Pandya emphasized that the organization continues to undertake focused campaigns on sensitive occasions like Akshaya Tritiya, when child marriages are often planned. As part of its broader efforts, a "Child Marriage Free India Rath" was launched to support the Government of India's 100-day intensive awareness drive, Child Marriage Free India.
This campaign vehicle traveled extensively across five districts, spreading awareness about the legal and social implications of child marriage and encouraging active community participation in prevention efforts.
Positive Outcomes and Legal Interventions
Pandya noted that these sustained efforts are yielding tangible results, with increased reporting of child marriage cases and prompt administrative intervention becoming more commonplace. He shared that the organization recently succeeded in getting two child marriages annulled through legal intervention.
In a landmark achievement, for the first time in the state, the NGO secured a court-issued injunction to prevent child marriages in tribal areas, setting a significant legal precedent for future cases.
The combined efforts of NGOs, legal authorities, and the administration highlight a growing commitment to eradicating child marriage in Rajasthan, with Akshaya Tritiya serving as a critical focal point for preventive action and community awareness.
