####10 Child Marriages Prevented on Akshaya Tritiya
Joint efforts by administration and NGOs protect young lives
Udaipur, On the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, a day often misused for conducting child marriages, a remarkable intervention by the district administration and social organizations led to the prevention of 10 child marriages across Rajasthan. The campaign, jointly run by the Government of India, district administration, Gayatri Seva Sansthan, and the Just Rights for Children network, is part of a month-long special drive to safeguard child rights.
Child rights expert and Director of Gayatri Seva Sansthan, Dr. Shailendra Pandya, informed that an incentive of ₹1100 is being offered to anyone reporting child marriages, with assured confidentiality. As a result, 6 child marriages were stopped in Udaipur, 2 in Pratapgarh, and 2 in Sikar within a single day.
The campaign is being carried out in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority, Child Welfare Committee, and Child Helpline. Under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, involvement in any form of child marriage—including organizing, facilitating, or participating—is a punishable offense with up to two years of imprisonment, a fine, or both. This includes not only family members but also caterers, decorators, band players, marriage hall owners, and even priests or clerics conducting the ceremony.
Yashoda Paniya, Acting Chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee, Udaipur, stated that based on inputs from the organization, the administration and Dabok police intervened in Bhesda Khurd village to stop six child marriages. Preventive legal action was taken against involved individuals, and one minor boy and girl were rescued and placed in shelter for protection.
Gayatri Seva Sansthan, a partner organization of the national child rights network, has been actively working with local administration, panchayats, schools, and religious leaders to eliminate child marriage. Awareness campaigns, pledges, and even court-issued injunctions in tribal regions have contributed to a visible shift—people are now reporting such cases, enabling swift action.
Despite a decline in such incidents on Akshaya Tritiya due to increased vigilance, authorities stressed that continued public support is essential to completely eradicate the practice. Citizens have been urged to report any such incidents on the helpline number 823999288.
Officials including district coordinator Nitin Paliwal, counselor Payal Kaneria, Child Helpline representative Shankar Bhoi, and Dabok police officer Mukesh Khatik, along with teams in Pratapgarh and Sikar, played a crucial role in the successful operation.
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