Savadatti records highest number of child marriage complaints
Belagavi: Savadatti taluk, already known for its association with the devadasi system, has now gained attention for another social issue: child marriage. Despite efforts to curb the devadasi practice, the Women and Child Welfare Department has reported a surge in child marriage complaints from the region.
Between April and July 2024, Savadatti recorded the highest number of child marriage cases in Belagavi district, with 26 out of a total of 83 complaints across the district's 14 taluks. The district's Child Protection Cell managed to rescue 23 girls in Savadatti, but three cases proceeded despite their efforts, leading to FIRs being filed against the families involved.
District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) Lokesh Jagalur noted that, while legal awareness has been spread in the area, child marriages continue, particularly in tandas and among migrant working-class families. Gokak taluk reported the second-highest number of cases, with 15 complaints and successful rescues in all instances.
In total, the department rescued 68 girls and eight underage boys from child marriages across the district in the past four months. FIRs were registered in seven cases where marriages had already taken place. Jagalur highlighted that child marriages are often conducted using secretive methods, including "Yadi Pe Shadi" (stamp paper agreements) and "Godhooli marriages" (midnight weddings), making it challenging for authorities to intervene.
Local anganwadi workers and community members have played a crucial role in providing information that has led to the rescue of these children.
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Fan tries to die by suicide over Nikhil Kumaraswamy's bypoll loss
Bengaluru: Channapatna JD(S) candidate Nikhil Kumaraswamy, who lost the byelection to C.P. Yogeshwar of Congress, on Sunday consoled a fan who reportedly attempted to end his life and requested him not to repeat such acts.
Manjunath, fondly called Abhi, had even penned a letter before taking the dangerous step. Nikhil, who called on Manjunath at the latter’s home in Kudloor in Channapatna, expressed shock and sadness over the incident.
Nikhil Kumaraswamy reassured Manjunath, expressing his support during the difficult time. He told him that he was deeply troubled to learn of this incident and emphasised that he would stand by him. Nikhil also promised to offer assistance in any way he could, including helping him secure employment opportunities in the future, as reported by the Deccan Herald.
He also reminded Manjunath of the importance of his children’s well-being, urging him to focus on their future. “Please, look at the faces of your growing children. Even I have a three-year-old son. The children are young, let us take care of their future also. I will arrange some job opportunities for you. I might not be an MLA but this is a challenge. I will get you employed,” he said.
Nikhil told media persons that he is extremely hurt more by Manjunath’s attempt to die than by his loss in the election. “At 7:30 a.m., we got a message that in Valetoopu, Manjunath had consumed poison yesterday. In Channapatna, our workers and leaders have built this party with zeal. Let the admiration be there in your hearts but if it crosses the line, your families get hurt and we get very pained by it,” he was quoted as saying by the publication.
Speaking of his byelection loss, Nikhil reiterated that the JD(S) had got its traditional votes, but that the votes of a particular community went against the party.
“Deve Gowda gave reservation to a community. We tried our last attempt to take that community into confidence. But they conveyed to us that they do not require us. In future, we will take other communities into confidence,” he remarked in a veiled reference to Muslims.
Nikhil lost the election by a margin of 25,413 votes to Congress candidate C.P. Yogeshwar.
