Bhopal, April 7: The Madhya Pradesh government has ramped up its efforts to prevent child marriage ahead of Akshaya Tritiya. Detailed guidelines have been issued to ensure strict monitoring during the mass wedding ceremonies scheduled for April 20.
The state’s Department of Women and Child Development announced on Monday that all district collectors have been instructed to launch a comprehensive campaign against child marriage across the state.
“This initiative is part of the central government’s ‘Child Marriage-Free India’ campaign, led by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The goal is to eliminate child marriage and empower adolescent girls,” the statement said.
According to data from the National Family Health Survey, there has been a decline in child marriage cases in Madhya Pradesh in recent years. However, officials note that the issue persists in certain districts, particularly during culturally significant occasions like Akshaya Tritiya, when large-scale mass weddings are held.
To address this issue, authorities have been directed to maintain strict oversight in both rural and urban areas. Special monitoring teams will be deployed to verify the ages of brides and grooms participating in mass wedding events and to ensure compliance with legal provisions.
As part of preventive measures, students in schools and colleges will be educated about the harmful consequences of early marriage.
On April 20, elected representatives, including sarpanches, ward councilors, and panchayat secretaries, will take a public oath to prevent child marriage. This message will be widely disseminated in panchayat and ward offices.
At the grassroots level, women from self-help groups will conduct community discussions to advise families against early marriages.
With the support of Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, village guards, and panchayat officials, a list of girls under the age of 18 will be compiled. Their families will receive regular counseling and monitoring.
The government has also instructed officials to promote the online portal for reporting child marriage cases, along with helpline numbers 181, 1098, and 112.
According to the statement, information teams comprising teachers, health workers, and community representatives will be formed to keep a close watch in every village and ward.
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