Minor saved from marriage

Hyderabad: A 15-year-girl whose marriage was scheduled later this month was rescued by SCPCR. Officials said the girl’s parents had arranged her marriage with her 29-year-old cousin. The girl, who wants to become a teacher, completed SSC recently. The State Commission for Protection of Child Rights said the girl is the eldest among three daughters and a son of Kammagudem-based businessman K. Venkatram Reddy and Padmavathi. While she was planning to join a college for studies, her parents decided to marry her off to cousin Shivashankar Reddy. Though she was unwilling, her father, who owns a dairy farm, forcibly made her agree and the engagement was performed on April 7 at their residence.

The marriage was scheduled for April 20 at a hall in Kandukur village in RR district. Receiving a tip-off, officials from SCPCR, Child Welfare department and police raided the house and rescued the girl. “My aim is to become a teacher, but my parents are forcing me to get married even without considering the age gap between me and my cousin and my age,” the girl said.

Officials counselled the parents who promised to cancel the marriage and let her continue studies. SCPCR member Achyutha Rao  said that due to lack of awareness about the legal aspects of child marriage, many were going in for underage marriages. “Had there been awareness on this issue, this incident would not have happened. Last week one child marriage was foiled in a neighbouring village,” he said.

Last month SCPCR rescued six minors from marriage in Hayathnagar mandal alone. Child rights activists said that in most of these villages, parents get their daughters married after they completed SSC. “The government should take preventive measures to eradicate this and create extensive awareness on this issue,” the activists said.