Who Cares for Child Marriages?

Abstract

No one, finds Shobha Saxena in Rajasthan. Despite laws prohibiting such marriages, thousands of children are forced into it. The officials are least interested to punish the guilty and the people are too callous and orthodox to change. 

Akha Teej or Akhsya Tritya is a time of rejoicing in Rajasthan. This is the most auspicious day for marriage. On this day practically everywhere in western Rajasthan, Bikaner, Tonk, Jhalwar, Jodhpur, and Jaiselmer, marriages are performed en masse. Every street, house, tractor and even buses seem to reverberate with music and the cackle of gorgeously dressed marriage guests.