Special drive against child marriage to be conducted in Nov-Dec this year, says CM Sarma

Digital Desk: In a steadfast commitment to stopping child marriage, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that his government would sustain its crackdown on this social evil with biannual special drives. Sarma, emphasizing the significance of continued efforts, stated that the Director General of Police (DGP) had been instructed to conduct a preliminary survey for the next round of crackdowns towards the year-end.

Sarma's comments follow an NGO report released on Wednesday, which highlighted the state government's actions against child marriage and their resultant decline in such cases.

“Our campaign and tough action against child marriage will continue. Every six months a special drive will be conducted, and the DGP has been instructed to conduct a preliminary survey for the next crackdown on child marriages in November-December this year,” the CM said in a video on Wednesday evening.

Initially met with resistance, Sarma acknowledged a shift in public opinion, noting that even minority communities, previously skeptical, are now preventing child marriages. “Some people were not happy with the crackdown against child marriages, but now people are preventing the social evil, even in minority areas,” he said.

Sarma pointed to data from the India Child Protection (ICP) report as evidence of Assam's sustained efforts in empowering Nari Shakti (women's power). 

The report, which draws data from the National Crime Record Bureau and a survey covering 1,132 villages in 20 districts, reveals significant progress. According to the report, 30% of these areas have reported complete eradication of child marriage, while 40% have seen a considerable decline. These villages, with a total population of 21 lakh, including eight lakh children, highlight the impact of the state's interventions.

The report further noted that in 12 out of the 20 districts, over 90% of respondents believe that legal actions such as arrests and FIR filings are effective in addressing child marriages. 

Sarma took to X to celebrate these findings, stating, “This exceptional report by @IndiaCPOrg is a shining testament to our sustained efforts in empowering Nari Shakti. With over 3,000 arrests and our zero-tolerance approach, we have achieved an 81% decline in child marriages since 2021. We will not rest until we eliminate this social evil.”

The ICP report, titled ‘Towards Justice: Ending Child Marriage,’ was released on World Day for International Justice in New Delhi. It emphasized that the state government’s focus on legal intervention is the primary reason for the 81% reduction in child marriage instances across 20 districts between 2021-22 and 2023-24. The Assam government launched an intensified crackdown in February 2022, utilizing both legal measures and awareness campaigns to combat child marriage.

Priyank Kanoongo, Chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, commended Assam's approach at the report's release.

“Prosecution is definitely the key to ending this crime against children, and the Assam model to end child marriages has shown the country the way forward,” Kanoongo stated. He stressed that POCSO and PCMA laws, being secular, override all personal laws, ensuring no child can be married under the guise of religion.

Bhuwan Ribhu noted child rights activist and founder of Child Marriage Free India, also praised Assam's emphasis on legal action as an effective deterrent. “Most people in Assam today believe that prosecution is the key to ending child marriage. This message must go from Assam and spread across the country to create a child marriage-free India,” Ribhu remarked.

Child Marriage Free India, of which ICP is a part, is a nationwide campaign started in 2022, involving nearly 200 NGO partners working nationwide. Assam’s model serves as an inspiring example of how legal vigilance and community mobilization can work together to bring about meaningful social change. As the state continues its mission, its efforts offer valuable lessons for other regions in India facing similar challenges. By upholding the rights of its youngest citizens, Assam paves the way for a brighter, more equitable future for all.