2,350 villagers rally against child marriage in Tirupati

TIRUPATI: Over 2,350 people from 50 villages in Tirupati district participated in the ‘Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat’ (Child Marriage-Free India) campaign, organised by the PRAGATHI, an NGO dedicated to child rights.

The event saw participation from diverse groups, including child marriage survivors, government officials, village leaders, teachers, and others. Service providers, such as caterers, wedding card printers, and band operators, also joined, pledging not to support or facilitate child marriages.

PRAGATHI, as part of its ongoing efforts to combat child marriage, has prevented 120 such cases over the past year through legal interventions and community initiatives.

This campaign is part of a broader initiative led by the Just Rights for Children (JRC) alliance, a coalition of over 250 NGOs dedicated to safeguarding child rights across India. K.V. Ramana, director of PRAGATHI, stressed the significance of collective action, stating, “We’ve worked with local authorities to save our daughters. The national campaign under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership strengthens our resolve and connects our local efforts to a larger movement.”

JRC founder Bhuwan Ribhu highlighted the campaign’s evolution from localized efforts to a nationwide mission. “Together, we amplify the voices of India’s daughters and move closer to ending this practice,” he said.

One participant, a 16-year-old survivor of child marriage, shared how she overcame years of abuse with PRAGATHI’s help. The NGO supported her education and skill development, enabling her to rebuild her life. “Now, I’m working to ensure no girl endures my ordeal. The activists gave me the strength to stand tall. I am proud to be part of this movement,” she explained.