Chandigarh (Aaj Samaj)Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development Dr Baljeet Kaur received information that a family from Rupnagar was arranging the marriage of a minor. Taking immediate action in this regard, the Minister directed the officials of the department to investigate the matter and take necessary action. The Cabinet Minister said that information related to violation of the law against child marriage was received through Childline.
A 17-year-old minor was said to be getting married in Aspur Kota village of Rupnagar district. On the instructions of the Cabinet Minister, the District Child Protection Unit, Rupnagar, took immediate action and intervened along with the Child Marriage Prevention Officer. The DCPU and DMPO team, involving Aspur Kota Village Panchayat members, families of the married boy and girl and the owner of the wedding venue, stopped the wedding preparations. The statements of both parties were recorded at the scene.
The team explained to the boy and girl, after which the family assured that the boy would go to school from the next day. During this, Dr. Baljeet Kaur emphasized the commitment of the Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Agwant Singh Mann, to ensure the well-being of children. He appealed to citizens to immediately report incidents related to child marriage to district authorities. He told parents that child marriage is a curse on society. He said that childhood is the time of development of children, therefore do not force your children into child marriage.
