Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB/MS)
Udupi, Oct 7: "It is the responsibility of everyone in th society to prevent Child Marriage. Awareness with regards to the ill-effects of Child Marriage needs to be done," said Justice Venkatesh Naik T, Principal Judge of district and session court and president of district legal services authority.
Justice Venkatesh was speaking at the one-day symposium for judges and child marriage prevention officers on Prevention of Child Marriage Act 2006, Prohibition of Child Marriage (Karnataka Amendment) Act, 2016 and Prohibition of Child Marriage - Karnataka rules 2014 organized jointly by the district legal services authority, Indictment department, police department and women and children development department at the auditorium of superintendent of police office here.
Continuing his discourse, justice Venkatesh said, "Child marriage is a nasty system that is prevalent in India since time immemorial and is followed now also. The main reasons for the child marriage are poverty, illiteracy, economic issues and blind beliefs. Rights of children are being violated because of child marriage. The number of school dropouts is increased because of child marriage and they are deprived of education. In addition, child marriage is taking a toll on the physical and mental development of children, which also results in the mortality rate of mother and child. In many cases, the girls commit suicide as they are unable to cope with the responsibilities of the family at a young age. The girl child also becomes the victim of sexual atrocity, abortion and fatal diseases."
"The incidents of child marriage are lowest in the district of Udupi and it is at the last position with regards to this in the whole state. People of this district are aware of the bad effects of child marriage. However, in many places of Karnataka, people lack the awareness of ill-effects of child marriage. Offenders of child marriage act are sentenced to one to two years of imprisonment and also a fine up to Rs one lac. Though there is a law to prevent child marriage, it is still continuing. Awareness with regards to this has to be created in the minds of the public. In every district, there are units to prevent child marriage and also officers to see that child marriages do not take place. All the officers and the citizens have to work together in preventing the child marriage," justice Venkatesh added.
Laxman Nimbargi, SP of Udupi presided over the function. Kumarachandra, ASP Udupi, Shanti Bai, the public prosecutor of the district and Gracy Gonsalves, deputy director of women and children welfare department were present. Latha, senior civil judge and secretary of district legal services authority welcomed the gathering. The event was compered by Veena Vivekananda, project officer of Udupi children development programme.