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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Sanjay Raut demands re-election, alleges irregularities in EVMs during Maharashtra polls
Mumbai, Nov 25: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday demanded a re-election in Maharashtra using ballot papers, claiming there were irregularities with the electronic voting machines (EVMs).
Talking to reporters, Raut alleged several complaints about EVMs malfunctioning and questioned the integrity of the recently held elections.
The BJP-led Mahayuti won 230 out of 288 seats in the assembly elections, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi managed 46 seats, with Shiv Sena (UBT) winning just 20 out of 95 seats it contested.
"We have received nearly 450 complaints regarding EVMs. Despite raising objections repeatedly, no action has been taken on these issues. How can we say these elections were conducted fairly? Hence, I demand that the results be set aside and elections be held again using ballot papers," Raut said.
Citing some instances, he said a candidate in Nashik reportedly received only four votes despite having 65 votes from his family, while in Dombivli, discrepancies were found in EVM tallies, and election officials refused to acknowledge the objections.
The Sena (UBT) leader also questioned the credibility of the landslide victories of some candidates, saying, "What revolutionary work have they done to receive more than 1.5 lakh votes? Even leaders who recently switched parties have become MLAs. This raises suspicions. For the first time, a senior leader like Sharad Pawar has expressed doubts about EVMs, which cannot be ignored."
Asked about the MVA's poor performance in the elections, Raut rejected the idea of blaming a single individual.
"We fought as a united MVA. Even a leader like Sharad Pawar, who commands immense respect in Maharashtra, faced defeat. This shows that we need to analyse the reasons behind the failure. One of the reasons is EVM irregularities and the misuse of the system, unconstitutional practices, and even judicial decisions left unresolved by Justice Chandrachud," he said.
Raut stressed that though internal differences might have existed within the MVA, the failure was collective.
He also accused the Mahayuti of conducting the elections in an unfair manner.
"I cannot call the elections fair given the numerous reports of discrepancies in EVMs, mismatched numbers, and vote irregularities across the state," Raut said.
