Read how a 15 yr old girl saved herself from getting married by her parents
Pune, January 21, 2016 : In a courageous move, a 15-year-old girl has lodged a police complaint against her parents for forcing her into wedlock. Police have warned the parents, who had reportedly money from the groom side, and the bridegroom of arrest, if they proceed with the marriage scheduled for April 26.
The girl scored 70 percent marks in 10th standard exams last year and currently studies in 11th standard commerce stream in a reputed college in Shivajinagar area. Her father is an auto rickshaw driver and mother. She has been raised by her father’s uncle since she was one and half months old as they didn’t have any child. They stay in the same building.
Last year in August her mother arranged her marriage with a 25-year-old youth who is a labour supplier. The engagement was held against her wishes. Her mother who herself was married off when she was about 16 years didn’t pay heed to her requests. On the contrary she was used to make her talk to the groom on phone. He used to complain whenever she didn’t talk ‘nicely’ with him following which girl would be taken task by her mother. The groom has even booked a hall in Wagholi by paying Rs one lakh fee.
In her complaint, the girl said that she wanted to complete her education, but her parents were forcing her into the marriage. “I do not want to get married. I am below the marriageable age, but whenever I oppose or request my family members not to force me into marriage, they beat me and threaten to kill me. Excepting giving birth, my parents have not done anything and now they are forcing me for marriage,” she said, adding if the police and the administration did not help, her life would become very difficult.
The girl added, “I often pleaded not to go ahead with the marriage before I complete my studies. I want to pursue higher education in hotel management. My mother often forced me to talk to him on phone. He would come to my house in his Swift car and I was forced to go on drive with him though I managed to take along my younger brother and cousin sister as I was afraid of going alone with him. My mother often took me to a godman to change my mindset about the marriage.”
Her grandfather, also an autorickshaw driver, said though I opposed the marriage I was helpless before her parents.
Finally the girl mustered courage to lodge police complaint after her mother publicly thrashed her near the college around Wednesday noon. She came straight to the woman grievance redressal cell located on the premises of police commissioner’s office in Camp area.
The cops summoned her parents and the groom to the office. “We counselled the parents and the youth against child marriage. They have also been warned against putting hindrance in her studies. We are providing all support to the girl against any harassment,” Police Inspector Pratibha Joshi, in-charge of the cell, said.
To emotionally blackmail the girl, her mother began crying after coming out of the office where the girl was standing. The cops asked the woman and her husband to go away and the woman was heard saying that the daughter has caused big ‘loss’.
