Opposition Says They Are Against Child Marriage But...: Assam CM Himanta Criticises ‘Feudal Mindset’

On the issue of child marriage, Assam CM Himanta Sarma remarked there is a "feudal" mentality in the Opposition. He said they were instigating people that "BJP is trying to interfere in their lives."

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said that a 'feudal' mindset was trying to incite the poor against the BJP while the government was trying to eradicate child marriage. Sarma while speaking in the state assembly said that his government was working to eradicate child marriage by 2026 and special drives for the same will be undertaken every two-three months, reported news agency PTI.

While responding to a question by Congress leader Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, Sarma said, "The opposition says they are against child marriage. However, this support (for the drive against child marriage) is always followed by a 'but'."

He stated that Rs 200 crore was allocated in the next year's budget for fighting child marriage and a part of that budget will be used for paying advocates to ensure the conviction.

He further mentioned that a dedicated helpline, awareness drives, and rehabilitation of victims among other steps are some of the steps that will be taken towards this cause.

PTI quoted the CM as saying, "If I see a 22-year-old girl getting admission for post-graduation in Guwahati, when I visit places such as Chenga or Baghbor (areas having a large Muslim population), I see a girl of the same age with two children in her arms and two in front of her. The MLAs, doctors and engineers don't have so many children. But, when the government tries to do something for the poor, to save these young girls, they instigate the people that the BJP is trying to interfere in their lives."

According to Sarma, there is a "feudal" mentality that favours one way of life for the wealthy and another for the poor.

The Chief Minister said that the campaign against child marriage was being carried out in accordance with the law, hence the court was not granting the accused bail.

Regarding Purkayastha's concern over how the police will establish cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO), as the victims might not be eager to testify against their husbands or parents, Sarma responded that it won't be difficult to prove the crime if there is a child out of the marriage. He said, "If there is no child, there might be a problem."

However, he expressed confidence that 90 per cent of the cases will result in convictions.