In today’s era, where we speak loudly about digital transformation and women’s empowerment, there exists a harsh reality that remains like a stain on our society’s face — child marriage.
This practice has not disappeared; it has merely changed its form. It no longer arrives with public announcements or grand processions. Today, it is carried out quietly, within the four walls of homes, in secrecy, and often with the consent of families. This silence has made the practice far more dangerous than before.
Pune Case: A Symbol of Administrative Failure
A recent case from Pune highlights this silent crisis. In December 2025, a 16-year-old minor girl was married off discreetly for months, no one reported it. Only on April 2, 2026, a complaint reached a child helpline. This long gap raises a serious question: If one case can remain hidden for so long, how many others never get reported at all?
The Numbers Speak: A Growing Crisis
Official data reflects the depth of the problem:
* In Madhya Pradesh, cases rose from 366 in 2020 to 538 in 2025
* Despite strict laws, ground realities remain unchanged
Authorities are often on “high alert,” especially during festivals like Akshaya Tritiya, when mass marriages sometimes mask underage unions.
Dropping Out of School: The First Step Toward Child Marriage
The story of child marriage begins not at the wedding, but when a girl’s education is discontinued.
* Primary school enrollment for girls: ~85%
* Secondary school dropout rates: still high
Economic hardship and safety concerns
Economic hardship and safety concerns push families to see Pic Credit : The Quantum Hub
education as a burden rather than an investment. According to UNICEF, A girl out of school is 3 times more likely to be married early
Poverty and Fear: Root Causes
For many families:
* Education = Expense
* Early marriage = Security
Rising crime and social insecurity further pressure parents into marrying daughters early.
A Global Crisis, Not Just India
This is not just an Indian issue but a global one:
* Around 640 million women worldwide were married as children
* Every year, nearly 12 million girls are pushed into child marriage
Regions most affected:
* Sub-Saharan Africa
* South Asia
Countries like India and Bangladesh have made progress, but full success remains distant.
Punjab’s Hidden Reality
In a relatively prosperous state like Punjab, official numbers appear low. But sociologists warn that child marriage has taken a hidden form. Engagements (“shagan”) are fixed early, and marriages are conducted quietly. Low data does not mean the absence of the problem. Often, it means the issue has gone underground.
Law vs Social Mindset
India already has legal frameworks:
* Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006
* “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” campaign
But laws alone cannot eliminate social evils.
As long as girls are seen as:
* “Paraya dhan” (someone else’s property)
* A burden
the cycle will continue.
Child marriage is not just a legal offence —
It is a serious violation of human rights, depriving girls of:
* Education
* Health
* Freedom
What Needs to Change?
* Educate girls till they become self-reliant, not just literate
* Religious and community leaders must actively oppose the practice
* Immediate action on complaints must be ensured
* Accountability of officials must be clearly defined
The Hard Question
Are girls still being pushed into child marriage today?
Yes.
The process may no longer be visible, but it continues in the shadows of societal thinking.
Until every girl has the power to make her own life decisions,
our idea of freedom remains incomplete.
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