From The Hindu · Radheshyam Jadhav · · 2m
Maharashtra child marriage crisis: childhood sold, silenced, stolen
In Maharashtra, child marriage persists as families face poverty, migration, and safety fears.
In brief
In Maharashtra, child marriage persists as families face poverty, migration, and safety fears. In Maharashtra, child marriage continues due to poverty, migration, and safety concerns, with girls often forced into early marriages despite legal protections. Originally reported by The Hindu.
Child marriage crisis in Marathwada
In Maharashtra’s Marathwada region, child marriage persists as families grapple with fears over girls’ safety and so-called honour.
“Child marriage is not simply a consequence of tradition. Families say fears over girls’ safety, so-called family honour, migration, and economic insecurity leave them with few choices.”
Kirti’s nightmare
Most nights, Kirti, in her teens, is jolted awake by nightmares of a marriage ceremony she never chose.
“the raucous twang of a banjo band rattling out popular Hindi-film songs, garlands swaying chaotically, and a stranger, nearly twice her age, waiting at the other end of the mandap”
Suman’s past
Suman says her own mother was married at 13 and hated it.
“But then there was no other option, and I was married at the same age. Mulgishyanizali ki gharatthevta yet nahi [Once a daughter attains puberty, she cannot be kept in the house]”
Suman’s work
Both Suman and Achyut work as daily-wage labourers, even though they own a 1.5-acre patch of dry land.
“They migrate to western Maharashtra and other States like Karnataka and Telangana to work as sugarcane cutters during the six-month crushing season, October-November onwards.”
Suman’s daughters
Suman got all her daughters married before they turned 16.
“They have all returned to her with their children following marital disputes.”
Chaya’s situation
Kirti’s mother, Chaya, has been living with her parents for a few months.
“Every few months, her husband leaves her and she returns to her maternal home.”
Suman’s safety concerns
Suman refuses to say why he leaves or why the couple fights.
“She is worried he will not come back if he comes to know about the matter being discussed publicly.”
Achyut’s honour
For Achyut, the family’s respect in society rests upon a singular, unyielding pillar, ijjat (honour) that is inextricably bound to a girl’s character.
“The girl’s character is measured solely by the preservation of her virginity.”
Child marriage laws
Under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, marriages involving females under 18 or males under 21 are classified as child marriages.
“Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, sexual acts with a wife under 18 constitute rape.”
Predators and exploitation
Tatwashil Kamble, a child rights activist, highlights that predators backed by political influence frequently target vulnerable minors.
“In Aher Dhanora village, some four kilometres away from Beed, a local youth lured a 15-year-old girl away from home and raped her.”
Missing girls
According to police records, in 2025, approximately 266 minor girls went missing from Beed, out of which 214 were rescued.
“The police say many of these girls had fallen in love with local youth online.”
Asha Ugade’s story
Asha Ugade, a sugarcane cutter, married her four sisters when she was in her early teens.
“I started cutting sugarcane the year I was married.”
Child marriage prevention
Maharashtra has the highest number of child marriage prevention officers at 21,196, as per government data.
“The Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat campaign by the Government of India aims to reduce the prevalence of child marriage by 10% by 2026 and make India child-marriage-free by 2030.”
Rupali’s story
Rupali, 15, was married forcibly to a 22-year-old man in Pune and later moved to a hostel.
“In February this year, she appeared for her Class 10 exam.”
Yogita’s struggle
Yogita, one of Suman’s four daughters, wants all girls to finish school but faces financial constraints.
“I have contacted social activists in Beed to help me complete my Class X examination.”
The cycle continues
The cycle of child marriage persists despite legal protections and government efforts.
“Girls are being treated as a commodity in the marriage market.”
Here's the gist
In Maharashtra, child marriage continues due to poverty, migration, and safety concerns, with girls often forced into early marriages despite legal protections.
