MYSURU: It may look like fairy-tale weddings—couples entering the wedlock at midnight at small temples on the riverside in Chamarajanagar district. But, all of them turned out to be child marriages. To hoodwink the authorities, parents, especially members of two communities, are organising such events secretly in the dark.
Chamajanagar in-charge DC Harish Kumar told the Legislature panel on women on children that more than 200 child marriages have taken place in the border district and expressed helplessness to tackle it due to the high secrecy maintained in it.
He said child marriages are rampant in two major communities in the district as they think it’s difficult to get bridegrooms for their daughters if they cross 18 years. A lot of efforts have been made by using public representatives of those communities to create awareness about it but the results are not satisfactory, he said. Usually such weddings take place secretly at small temples on riverbanks and during midnights. It will take place only in the presence of couple’s parents and they will not print any invitation cards. By the time, the authorities get the information and reach the spot, the marriage ceremony will be over.
In Mysuru, there have been only one FIR on child marriage during 2016-17 while there were none in the previous year. Deputy Commissioner D Randeep said the situation is same like in Chamarajanagar. Haris said it’s a sensitive issue and the authorities should focus more on creating awareness about it.