Bhopal, April 23 -- Calling child marriage a punishable offence with jail and heavy fines, the Bhopal Collector on Tuesday warned citizens against supporting or participating in such unlawful unions.
Speaking ahead of Akshaya Tritiya - one of the most auspicious dates for weddings in the Hindu calendar - Collector Kaushlendra Vikram Singh described child marriage as a grave social evil still prevalent in both urban and rural areas.
With wedding ceremonies set to peak from April 30, the collector sought public cooperation to ensure no underage marriages take place in the district.
A special drive under the "Lado Abhiyan", part of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme, is underway across the district. Authorities are invoking the Prohibition ...