Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made a significant announcement during the concluding session of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) women's wing's national executive meeting. He revealed that his government is set to re-launch a campaign against child marriage within the state.
In his statement, Himanta Biswa Sarma outlined the key objectives of this renewed effort, emphasizing that Assam police will be taking action to arrest approximately 2,000 to 3,000 men within the state over the course of the next 10 days as part of this initiative.
Furthermore, Sarma clarified that the timing of this renewed campaign was chosen to coincide with the conclusion of the G20 Summit. He shared his commitment to addressing the issue of child marriage comprehensively and promptly, highlighting the urgency of the matter.
He recalled a similar endeavor undertaken just six months ago when 5,000 individuals were arrested in Assam for their involvement in child marriages. Sarma stressed the importance of enforcing existing laws that prohibit child marriage, emphasizing that such practices have severe consequences, particularly for young girls who may experience exploitation and hindered progress as a result.
Moreover, Sarma noted that his administration has been actively working to address various social issues, including the eradication of triple talaq, child marriage, and polygamy. He underlined that these efforts reflect a commitment to the welfare of the Muslim community, asserting that the scale of work being carried out surpasses previous initiatives undertaken by Congress governments.
It is worth noting that earlier, in February 2023, Assam Police had already taken action by arresting over 2,666 individuals in connection with child marriage cases in the state. The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, of 2006, explicitly prohibits child marriage in India and seeks to provide protection and assistance to those affected by such practices.
Â
