Priests, kazis must check Aadhaar, PAN cards to verify age: ASCPCR

'Coordination between stakeholders must to check child marriages'

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Lack of coordination among the stakeholders concerned is one of the main reasons why child marriage is still prevalent in society, according to the Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights. The Commission has directed all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to ensure that priests and kazis who solemnize marriages should check the Aadhaar card or PAN card of the bride and groom to verify their age.

Talking to The Sentinel, Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights chairperson Sunita Changkakati said, "While visiting various districts across the State we have observed that there is no coordination between stakeholders like the Health and Family Welfare department, the Social Welfare department, Anganwadi workers, Asha karmis etc. due to which child marriage continues to be practised in the society. The Commission has always emphasized taking immediate action whenever any case of child marriage comes to light."

The Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights was constituted in 2010 for the protection, promotion, development, survival and participation of children.

Changkakati further said that whenever a pregnant girl below 18 years of age gets admitted to the hospital for delivery, the attending doctor must inform the police. But this seldom happens. "We talked to some doctors about this and they said that informing the police was not their duty. Their duty is to look after the health of the girl and ensure that she has a safe delivery. But when the doctor knows that the pregnant girl is underage, he should least inform the police.

The police will decide what action needs to be taken," she said.

"The Asha karmis work at the grassroots level. When they come across pregnant underage girls or when they are aware of any child marriage taking place in their areas, they must immediately inform the authorities concerned. But this seldom happens as the Asha karmis – for their own personal interest or for any other reason best known to them – choose to remain silent," she further said.

Changkakati said that two days ago, the Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights issued a direction to all DCs to ensure that priests and kazis check the Aadhaar card or PAN card of the bride and groom before solemnizing the marriage to ascertain their age. If the priests and kazis have any doubts then they should inform the police immediately.

Changkakati lauded the Assam Government's massive crackdown across the State against child marriage. "It is a commendable move on the part of the government. But the bottom line is that unless there is proper coordination between all the stakeholders, child marriages are likely to continue."

The Assam Government recently issued strict instructions to the State Police to launch a massive drive against child marriage. The government's move came after the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5) in Assam showed an alarmingly high percentage of child marriage in the State – 31%. Arrests against child marriages continue in the State with more than 2,000 people being arrested so far.

Also Read:  Child marriage: 2,278 arrested in Assam

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