Child marriage prevented on eve of 'Akha Teej' in Rajasthan

Jaipur, Apr 21: The marriage of a 15-year-old girl was prevented following intervention of the District Magistrate who raided the girl's house where wedding rituals were going on in full swing at Khamnore village here.

District Magistrate of Rajsamand Kailash Chand Verma not only stopped the marriage rituals but also warned the girl's parents not to get their daughter, Komal, married off on Akha Teej, otherwise legal action would be taken, a state government official said.

[Shocking: 11,000 Odisha girls are mothers before 15, reveals 2011 Census]

Komal's father tendered an apology and assured the DM that he would not get his daughter married off on April 21, he said.

'Akha Teej', which is an auspicious occasion for marriages, is also notorious for child marriages in parts of Rajasthan.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Governor Kalayan Singh and Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje greeted people on the eve of Akha Teej and appealed to them that they should also monitor that no child marriage was performed tomorrow as it was illegal and a stigma on society.

PTI