The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPM] state secretary, K. Balakrishnan, has called on the Tamil Nadu government to take immediate action to curb the rising cases of child marriages in the state. According to Balakrishnan, the number of reported child marriages has seen a significant increase, with 1,054 cases in 2023 and 1,640 cases in 2024, based on data obtained through Right to Information (RTI).Balakrishnan highlighted that districts such as Erode, Tirunelveli, Perambalur, Coimbatore, Dindigul, and Namakkal have witnessed the highest incidences of child marriages. He referred to child marriages as the “biggest human rights violation” and emphasized that the increase in these cases is a direct consequence of the lack of safety and protection for girl children in the state.
The CPM leader raised concerns over the detrimental impact of child marriages on the health and life of young girls, stating that such practices not only jeopardize their well-being but also deny them educational and employment opportunities. “Child marriages strip girls of their right to choose whom and when to marry. It is a condemnable violation of their basic rights,” Balakrishnan stated.
He also criticized the failure of district child welfare officials to carry out their responsibilities in preventing such marriages. Balakrishnan called for strict enforcement of existing laws against child marriages and the implementation of preventive measures at the ground level.
In addition, the CPM leader urged the government to launch awareness campaigns to educate the public about the harmful effects of child marriages. He also suggested the appointment of monitoring committees in rural areas and the filling of chairperson positions in child welfare committees to ensure effective oversight and action.
The increasing number of child marriages in Tamil Nadu has raised alarm among social activists, and Balakrishnan’s statement calls for swift and decisive action to protect the rights and futures of young girls in the state.