Agartala | February 26, 2026
In a resolute step toward eradicating the social scourge of child marriage, a district-level awareness program was organized today at the Muktadhara Auditorium in Agartala. The initiative, held under the nationwide “Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat” (Child Marriage-Free India) Campaign, was spearheaded by the Office of the District Social Education Officer, West Tripura.
The program aimed to educate stakeholders and the public on the legal and social ramifications of child marriage, emphasizing that it is both a social malady and a punishable legal offense.
Strict Legal Warnings
Speakers at the event highlighted that under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, participating in or facilitating a child marriage can lead to:
- Imprisonment: Up to 2 years of rigorous jail time.
- Financial Penalty: A fine of up to ₹1 Lakh.
- Combined Punishment: In many cases, both jail time and fines are imposed.
Inauguration and Key Dignitaries
The event was formally inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Smt. Jayanti Debbarma, Chairperson of the Tripura Commission for Protection of Child Rights (TCPCR). In her address, she underscored that collective social participation is as crucial as legal enforcement to protect the future of children.
Distinguished guests present included:
- Shri Biswajit Shil, Acting Sabhadhipati of the West Tripura Zilla Parishad, who spoke on the role of Panchayats in identifying and stopping early marriages.
- Shri Manik Lal Das, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Sadar, who detailed the administrative and police protocols for reporting such cases.
- Senior officials from the Social Welfare and Social Education Department.
A Call for Social Awakening
The “Child Marriage-Free India” mission aims to significantly reduce child marriage prevalence by 2026, with the ultimate goal of making India child-marriage-free by 2030. Today’s seminar at Muktadhara focused on:
- Community Reporting: Encouraging neighbors and teachers to use the “Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat” portal for real-time reporting.
- Health Risks: Highlighting the severe health complications faced by child brides during early pregnancies.
- Education: Stressing that keeping girls in school is the most effective way to prevent early marriage.
The program concluded with a collective pledge taken by all attendees to actively intervene and report any instance of child marriage in their respective localities.
Reported by: Tripura24.in News Desk
Location: Muktadhara Auditorium, Agartala
