Child marriages continue to be prevalent in Rajasthan, despite the law against them. In the Hindoli area of Bundi district, two 15 and 16-year-old sisters, Rani and Pinki, were married with fanfare in July. Their teachers suspected the marriage but chose to overlook it.
While teachers and authorities claim ignorance, multiple cases of child marriage have been reported in the area. Teachers revealed that in the past year, a 7th grader was engaged to a 9th grader, another 7th grader was married, a 10th grader was married to an electric pole maintenance worker, and two 12th graders dropped out to live with their in-laws after being married.
The prevalence of child marriage in rural areas is attributed to factors such as poverty, saving on marriage expenses, and the desire for education and government jobs for girls. Some villagers even advocate for an amendment to the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.
Local authorities and politicians deny the prevalence of child marriage, despite evidence to the contrary. The National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21) reveals that 23.3% of women aged 20-24 were married before the age of 18. This highlights the ongoing issue of child marriage in India, despite legal measures and societal awareness campaigns.
