Jodhpur: Child bride breaks free, lights up path for others
Jodhpur (PTI): A woman here reclaimed her life through a court battle breaking a decade-long union that was solemnised when she was just 12, paving the way for others like her who lost their childhood to a regressive custom.
On Thursday, Judge Varun Talwar of Family Court annulled the marriage of Khushboo (name changed), observing that child marriage undermines both the present and future of children and called for a collective societal action to eliminate it.
The marriage, solemnised in 2016 when Khushboo was about 12 years old, was declared void under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.
Belonging to the Bishnoi community, Khushboo recalled being a schoolgoer and having little understanding of what was happening around her as community elders took the lead in arranging the marriage.
Decisions, she said, were largely driven by customs, leaving her parents with limited say. It was only as she grew older that the implications of the marriage became clear to her; that she had been bound in a relationship she neither chose nor fully comprehended.
The turning point came a few years later, when pressure from her in-laws to begin conjugal life bore down on her.
Distressed yet determined not to continue in the union, she approached the police and was subsequently connected with social activist Kriti Bharti of Sarathi Trust.
"They initially hesitated, but seeing my resolve and convinced by my elder sister, who herself had been married as a child, they agreed," Khushboo said.
With Bharti's assistance, Khushboo filed a petition in the family court around 18 months ago, seeking annulment.
During the hearings, she presented documents establishing her age at the time of marriage, maintaining that the union had been conducted without her consent.
Her in-laws claimed that the marriage had taken place after both parties were adults, but lost the case.
Bharti said getting the groom's side to agree to annulment was far from easy.
"Who would so easily want to relinquish their right to the bride. It is engraved in customs as well as ego, and taking such cases in hands means humiliation and abuse," the activist said.
Khushboo's case sheds light on the role of certain customs that perpetuate child marriage, a blight that persists despite legal curbs.
The ceremony, Bharti said, was linked to a ritual called mauser (Mrityubhoj), which takes place following a death in the family. A part of the ritual is marrying off multiple children in a communal gathering.
Activists say such occasions often prioritise tradition over legality, with families fearing social boycott if they resist.
Meanwhile, Khushboo, who had dropped out after class 7, has resumed her studies and is preparing for her secondary examinations through open schooling.
"It is also my elder sister's wish that I complete my education and become self-reliant," she said.
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EC tightens vigil in Bengal ahead of polls; senior police officers start police station visit
Kolkata (PTI): Senior police officials began visiting police stations across West Bengal from Sunday as the Election Commission stepped up monitoring of poll preparedness and security arrangements in the poll-bound state.
During these visits, officers in charge of police stations are being briefed on measures needed to be taken for holding free and fair polling.
In line with directives from the poll panel, police commissioners and superintendents of police have started visiting police stations to review law and order arrangements ahead of the ensuing elections, an official from the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer's office said.
"Senior officers have been instructed to conduct ground-level assessments and guide local police units to ensure a peaceful, free and fair electoral process," he said.
Police authorities are also expected to send out a strong message on maintaining an environment free of fear and violence.
"The focus is on building confidence among voters and strict enforcement of measures to curb any attempt at malpractice, including booth capturing or intimidation," the official added.
Polling for the 294-member West Bengal Assembly is slated on April 23 and 29, while the counting of votes will be held on May 4.
