Child Marriage In India

Child marriage in India has become, more or less a custom and the people seems to be of the opinion that they have to follow this custom. The study reveals that during the last 35 years there is no perceptible change in this custom particularly in Rajasthan where males and females are getting married in their childhood. Akhateej is an suspicious festival in Rajasthan and people of this State are of the view that this is an auspicious day for performing marriage cereminies. One can see a number of child marriages taking place on this day all over Rajasthan. The study also shows that child marriages cannot be curbed merely by legislation. However, community panchayats can play an important role in curbing this social evil. Realisation of adverse effects of child marriage can help in reduction of incidence of child marriage. A general understanding and awareness of this fact is spreading very fast because of literacy and mass communication. Attention is also being paid towards adopting remedial measures through effective coluntary efforts which could help in applying a brake to the widespread socio-cultural problem of child marriage.