It’s 2021 and it's hard to believe that child marriage is not only prevalent but still rampant in some parts of India. In fact, it accounts for the largest number of child brides.

The situation even got worse during the pandemic since little girls couldn’t be sent off to work or school and were considered a burden by families who couldn't afford to have them sit at home. 

One might wonder what steps the government is taking to actually curb this problem and abolish child marriage in India once and for all.    

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Well, the answer is not much. 

In fact, the Rajasthan government just gave a nudge to the evil practice in the state, by passing a bill that allows registration of child marriages. 

The Rajasthan Compulsory Registration of Marriages (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was passed in the State Legislative Assembly on Friday, despite objections from MLAs from opposition parties.

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The Bill states that information on child marriage must be submitted by the parents or guardians of the minors within 30 days of the wedding. 

The question is why such evil is still being promoted? No surprise that the move is getting backlash from people already. 

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Some said it is probably to please a certain section of people that is demanding child marriages to be legalised, while others said why would someone come forward to register the marriage when it’s illegal? Child marriage is a punishable offence for the guardians. 

Has Congress lost its mind?

Rajasthan govt passed a bill allowing "registration" of child marriage!

Minister saying ridiculous stuff like "registering" not same as "legalizing"

This is liberalism?

And Rahul Gandhi was lecturing on women empowerment

Why no outrage on this?

— Abhishek (@AbhishBanerj) September 18, 2021

Taking our nation 500 years back!!! Shameless congressi

— Sanatani SSRF (@SanatanSushant) September 18, 2021

बालिका वधू सीजन 3 राजस्थान में
और
बालिका वधू सीजन 1 और 2 ऑन @ColorsTV

— Social Observer (@YouMayUnlike) September 18, 2021

Congress govt in Rajasthan has passed a bill to register child marriages.

The liberal gang, tells children not to play with water colours on Holi and not to burst firecrackers on Diwali, is silent about legalising child marriage. Why?

— Anshul Saxena (@AskAnshul) September 18, 2021

However, the state's Parliamentary Affairs minister’s best argument for this move is that registering doesn’t mean the marriage is valid or legal. Shanti Dhariwal said that the amendment doesn’t mention that child marriages will be validated. 

© Twitter/Kaushik Biswas

“You say that child marriages will be validated. Nowhere does this amendment say that such marriages will be valid. Marriage certificate is a legal document, in the absence of which a widow won't receive benefit of any govt scheme.”

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Instead of thinking about the benefits of the child widow, they should be thinking about the rights of these girls that are compromised because they are married off too early. 

When the government should be working towards women’s safety and protecting their rights, this comes as a huge disappointment.

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