The Supreme Court of India has issued crucial guidelines aimed at eradicating child marriage, reinforcing the country’s ongoing efforts against this practice. On October 18, Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, ruled that child marriage and betrothal strip minors of their autonomy in choosing a partner. This follows a petition by the Society for Enlightenment and Voluntary Action (SEVA), highlighting the dire situation and lack of effective enforcement of child marriage laws.
SEVA, an ally in the ‘Child Marriage Free India’ (CMFI) campaign, seeks to end child marriage nationwide by 2030. Last year, the CMFI campaign and associated NGOs prevented over 120,000 child marriages, safeguarding over 11 lakh children with government support. The strategy emphasized is a three-pronged approach: prevention, protection, and prosecution, coupled with a community-driven method. Chief Justice Chandrachud underscored the necessity of multi-sector coordination and the empowerment of law enforcement through training.
Petitioners Alaka Sahu of SEVA and activist Nirmal Gorana expressed gratitude for the landmark judgment, which marks a pivotal advance in the fight against child marriage. Bhuwan Ribhu, founder of the CMFI campaign, hailed the judgment as a crucial win, suggesting it would solidify India’s global leadership in combating this social issue.
The guidelines instruct various ministries to adopt a comprehensive strategy to eliminate child marriage, recognizing it as a violation of minors’ rights. The court also stressed the importance of sex education and empowering children as preventive measures. The ‘Child Marriage Free India’ initiative, with over 200 NGOs, has actively contributed to this cause, fostering communities free from child marriage and securing millions of pledges to combat the practice. Through a collaborative approach involving religious and community leaders, the campaign seeks to fulfil its mission by 2030.
