Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha has announced that the state government is planning a significant move to curb child marriage by making pre-marriage registration compulsory for all social marriages. He stated that submitting a birth certificate would be mandatory under this initiative, and the necessary legal framework will also be examined. According to 2020 data from the state’s Social Education and Social Welfare Department, Tripura ranks third in India—after West Bengal and Bihar—in the prevalence of child marriages.
CM Saha, while addressing a government program in Gandhigram, West Tripura, said, ‘The government is considering preventing child marriage by implementing pre-marriage registration for social marriages. Necessary legal aspects will also be considered for this. Under this, it will be necessary to submit the birth certificate.’
Getting a birth certificate will be mandatory
Manik Saha said that if birth certificate is made mandatory for marriage registration, then the age of the boy and the girl will be revealed automatically. He told that according to the existing law, the minimum age of girls for social marriage should be 18 years and that of boys 21 years. The Chief Minister appealed to the people to stop child marriage and increase awareness about it. He said that for this, aware people also need to come forward.
Award received from President
CM Saha said that recently a girl from minority community of the state has received an award from President Draupadi Murmu for protesting against child marriage. He said that others should take inspiration from her. On this occasion, Saha also expressed concern over the drug trade. He said that some prominent people of the society are involved in this business for economic gain. He warned, ‘Many well-known people of the society are involved in the drug trade for money. But it should be clear that no one will be spared when they come under the grip of law.’
