Kolkata, West Bengal: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced a strict approach toward child marriage, saying the government will take legal action against adults involved in marriages involving minors.
The announcement has drawn attention to Murshidabad, which the Chief Minister reportedly identified as one of the worst-affected districts. According to reports quoting Adhikari, around 12,000 child marriages were recorded in the district over the past six months.
Government Promises Strict Enforcement
According to the reported remarks, the government intends to identify and take action against those involved in arranging or facilitating child marriages. The reported policy also includes action against husbands who marry minors and restrictions on access to certain government welfare benefits for people found involved in such practices.
The announcement comes amid renewed discussion about teenage marriage and pregnancy in West Bengal. Adhikari has reportedly cited large numbers of teenage pregnancies and deliveries while arguing for stronger enforcement against underage marriage.
POCSO and Personal Law
The circulating claim says that Muslim Personal Law does not provide an exemption from the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
However, this point should be reported carefully. Whether particular conduct attracts POCSO or other criminal provisions depends on the facts of the case and the applicable law. A religious or personal-law claim does not, by itself, determine criminal liability.
Focus on Murshidabad
Murshidabad has been highlighted in the government's reported remarks because of the alleged scale of underage marriages in the district. The figure of 12,000 cited in reports is a political statement attributed to the Chief Minister and should not be treated as an independently verified statewide statistical finding without supporting government data.
Why the Issue Matters
Child marriage can have serious consequences for a child's education, health, economic independence and personal safety. Effective enforcement therefore requires more than arrests: authorities also need to identify vulnerable children, intervene before marriages take place and ensure access to education and support services.
The government's reported announcement signals a tougher enforcement approach, but the actual impact will depend on how consistently the rules are implemented across districts.
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