42 child marriages reported in Belagavi in a year; highest cases among Kuruba community
Belagavi: Belagavi, the home district of women and child welfare minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, has recorded 42 cases of child marriages between April 2024 and March 2025. The number has triggered serious concern among child rights activists and govt officials.
According to data from the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), 196 child marriages were attempted. Of these, 154 could be prevented. Of the total number of cases reported, FIRs were filed in 22 cases, while 66 were referred to the Child Welfare Committees (CWC) for further action.
The highest number of cases — 37 — were reported from the Kuruba community, followed by 35 from Scheduled Tribes, 26 among Lingayats, 25 among Scheduled Castes, and 17 among the Muslim community.
Officials attribute the continued prevalence of early child marriages to a combination of factors that include deep-rooted cultural traditions, and economic hardships -- particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.
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Belagavi taluk topped the district with 23 reported cases, followed by Gokak (22), Hukkeri (18), Savadatti and Ramdurg (17 each), Athani and Raibag (15 each), and Chikodi (10).
While the DCPU's interventions helped thwart a significant number of underage marriages, the 42 cases that did occur underline the need for stronger community outreach, stricter law enforcement, and sustained awareness campaigns in high-risk communities.
Speaking to TOI, DCPU officer C S Sukhasare said: "In coordination with our stakeholders, we are doing our best to prevent these incidents. Our focus now is on spreading awareness about the adverse impact of child marriage. We will persist with our efforts until we see the number of cases drop to zero."
Susheela V, the district coordinator of Spandana, an NGO working for children's welfare, added: "We regularly receive reports related to atrocities against children, including child marriages. After verifying these details, we inform the women and child welfare department, which then steps in."
She, however, highlighted the need for govt departments to be more proactive.
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