NHRC notes Chhattisgarh Minister's presence at mass child marriage, directs State Governments to take measures to prevent child marriages on the Akha Teej
New Delhi, 9 May 2005
Taking note of a news report of child marriages having been solemnized in Chhattisgarh in the presence of a minister, the Commission has directed that the newspaper report be forwarded to the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Chhattisgarh for placing it before the Chief Minister to look into the facts and take appropriate steps.
According to the news story which appeared in a national daily dated 22 April 2005 about two dozen children tied the nuptial knot in a mass marriage ceremony at Sarguja in the presence of Shri Ram Vichar Netam, Tribal Welfare Minister, Chhattisgarh and Shri Chintamani Maharaj, Chairman Sanskrit Board.
Since "Akha Teej" falls on 11 May 2005 and is considered as an auspicious day for marriages, the Commission has suggested that the Chief Secretaries and the Directors General of Police of various States and Union Territories in India take appropriate preventive measures well in time and nominate officials as "responsible officers" to ensure prevention of child marriages.
The Commission directed that it should be informed about the steps taken on the basis of its letter dated 17 March 2005 addressed to the Chief Ministers/Administrators regarding educating people at large about the demerits of child marriage and making them aware of the consequences of the same. It has given four weeks for a response.
On 17 March 2005, the Chairperson had written to the Chief Ministers and Administrators of various States and Union Territories, including Chhattisgarh, drawing their attention to the provisions contained in the Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929 and suggesting that appropriate measures may be taken to prevent such child marriages. Some of the States had responded indicating that appropriate steps are being taken.
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Taking note of a news report of child marriages having been solemnized in Chhattisgarh in the presence of a minister, the Commission has directed that the newspaper report be forwarded to the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Chhattisgarh for placing it before the Chief Minister to look into the facts and take appropriate steps.
According to the news story which appeared in a national daily dated 22 April 2005 about two dozen children tied the nuptial knot in a mass marriage ceremony at Sarguja in the presence of Shri Ram Vichar Netam, Tribal Welfare Minister, Chhattisgarh and Shri Chintamani Maharaj, Chairman Sanskrit Board.
Since "Akha Teej" falls on 11 May 2005 and is considered as an auspicious day for marriages, the Commission has suggested that the Chief Secretaries and the Directors General of Police of various States and Union Territories in India take appropriate preventive measures well in time and nominate officials as "responsible officers" to ensure prevention of child marriages.
The Commission directed that it should be informed about the steps taken on the basis of its letter dated 17 March 2005 addressed to the Chief Ministers/Administrators regarding educating people at large about the demerits of child marriage and making them aware of the consequences of the same. It has given four weeks for a response.
On 17 March 2005, the Chairperson had written to the Chief Ministers and Administrators of various States and Union Territories, including Chhattisgarh, drawing their attention to the provisions contained in the Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929 and suggesting that appropriate measures may be taken to prevent such child marriages. Some of the States had responded indicating that appropriate steps are being taken.
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