Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has cited 524 people are now arrested and 441 cases being registered as part of the state’s campaign to criminalise child marriage.
The numbers show that the Assam government is still doing its part in child marriage by applying law enforcement and supporting the protection of children, especially girls, from early marriage.
The announcement has brought the social, legal and public health problems related to child marriage to the fore of the public, especially in Assam and in India.
Child marriage is still a major social issue as it affects children’s education, physical and emotional well-being and opportunities for economic independence. If children are married before the age they should be married, they may feel a need to leave school, take on adult responsibilities and embark on relationships for which they don’t know enough.
Girls are most vulnerable to the effects with high rates of early pregnancy, health complications, financial dependence and restrictions on freedom of choice. The Assam government’s enforcement campaign is to address these issues and to remedy the situation of suspected violations of the law.
According to the figures provided by Himanta Biswa Sarma, 441 cases and 524 people were arrested in connection with the crackdown. The number of arrests is higher than the number of cases indicates that investigations may involve more than one accused person in some cases.
524 arrested, 441 cases registered in Assam’s child marriage crackdown: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Read @ANI Story I https://t.co/bgPZ3WJZ84 #HimantaBiswaSharma #Assam #ChildMarriage https://t.co/Tfoem0Kmbk
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But the figures alone do not give us detailed information about the roles of those arrested, the number of marriages involved or the results of individual investigations. That would need to be confirmed through official police statements and court records.
The legal framework in India prohibits child marriage under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006. Under the law, a child is a male who is not 21 years old and a girl who is not 18 years old. The law allows for action taken against those who help, organise or promote child marriages, as per the laws.
There are also mechanisms for marriages that breach the law. Arrests and registration of cases are the steps of the legal process and the allegations should continue to be reviewed in the legal system.
In addition to enforcement, preventing child marriage requires sustained cooperation between government departments, law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, community organisations and families.
Awareness programs can also help communities understand the legal age for marriage and the risks associated with marrying children early. Schools and local authorities might also play a role in identifying children at risk, responding to reports and enabling families to access education and welfare support.
Children are really important in education. Education can help young people make educated decisions on their future employment opportunities; knowledge of their legal rights, and better awareness about legal rights are one way to have an informed young people’s decision making process.
Support for vulnerable families may also reduce some of the financial and social pressures that drive early marriage. Community and local organisations can help to raise the issue of whether in some of these practices that put children’s safety and development at risk.
Sarma’s latest figures bring enforcement efforts back into focus for the state. But the success of any crackdown cannot be reduced to the number of arrests and cases reported but also to whether it will lead to less child marriages and puts children at risk and how the investigations are conducted fairly.
Support for affected children, education and long-term community involvement are all key in the response.
As Assam continues its fight against child marriage, the reported 524 arrests and 441 registered cases underline the scale of the enforcement action announced by the Chief Minister.
More official information about the period covered, district-wise figures, the status of the cases and support provided to affected children would help to clarify the campaign’s progress.
The bigger picture is to protect children’s rights, protect their futures and ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow up, study and make important life decisions without being pushed into marriage before the legally permitted age.
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