BHAWANIPATNA:A minor girl has set an example by going against her father’s wishes and refusing to marry an alcoholic man double her age in Kalahandi district. The incident came to fore two days back and on Monday, the girl’s parents were counselled by child protection officials.
The girl, a Class VII student of Government-run Kathghar tribal residential school under Thuamul Rampur block and resident of Teri Bhejiguda village, is 14-years-old. Her father Lalu Majhi, also an alcoholic, had arranged her marriage with a 30-year-old man of the village recently. Lalu visited the school often and forced his daughter to marry the man, who is one of his acquaintances. The man also visited the school many times and asked the girl to agree to the marriage proposal even as the latter said she wanted to pursue education.
Two days back when the school was being closed for Dussera vacation, the girl informed her headmistress about her marriage. She urged the headmistress to allow her to stay back in the hostel as she was apprehensive of going to the village. The headmistress brought the matter to the notice of District Welfare Officer. Subsequently, district child welfare and protection officials visited the school and her village to inquire into the incident.
On Monday, the girl, her parents and the headmistress were told to come to the office of District Child Protection at Bhawanipatna. While the headmistress was urged to ensure that the girl is not harassed in any manner by her parents, the officials counselled Lalu and his wife to not marry her off till she turns 18.
District Child Protection Officer Sailendu Sekhar Mohapatra said her parents have been counselled on bad effects of early marriage. Steps will be taken to shift the girl and her two minor sisters to other residential schools so that they can continue their education without any interference from parents, he added.
“She has set an example for girls of her age by refusing to marry under parental pressure and deciding to study further,” said the officer.