Mumbai:In a bid to curb child marriages in the state, the Maharashtra Government is planning to mandate DOB (date of birth) of both the bride and groom on wedding invitation cards on the lines of Rajasthan, where such practices are rampant. The State Government also aims to bring the child marriage rate below 10 percent over the next five years, said Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare on Wednesday.
“The Maharashtra government has written to the Rajasthan government to study its practice of mentioning the dates of birth of both the bride and groom on wedding invitation cards. The Maharashtra government will examine the feasibility of adopting a similar mechanism in consultation with the rural development and the law and judiciary departments,” Ms. Tatkare said.
“Such a move would make it much easier to verify the age of the couple at the time of marriage. To ensure its implementation, the government is planning to make printing presses, wedding halls (mangal karyalayas) and event organisers responsible for following the rule. Those found violating the guidelines would face legal action,” the minister told the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha during the monsoon session of the State Legislature.
The proposal was recommended by the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights following concerns over a rise in cases of girls getting married before the age of 18 in some parts of the state.
“Maharashtra has set a target to reduce the child marriage rate to below 10 percent within the next five years,” Tatkare said. Maharashtra’s child marriage rate currently stands at 19.6%, dropping from 21.9% in 2019-21 and falling just below the national average. The State Government has significantly increased interventions, resulting in 1,495 child marriages being stopped in 2024-25 and 1,434 cases prevented so far this year, she added.
“The increase in the number of child marriages being stopped should not be interpreted as an increase in child marriages. It indicates improved detection, reporting and intervention by government machinery. Action is being taken not only against family members involved in child marriages, but also against those who knowingly facilitate such ceremonies, including priests, musicians and others participating in the event,” Tatkare stated.
The issue was raised by BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar, who sought district-wise details of child marriages prevented through government interventions and action taken against persons involved in such cases.
In Maharashtra, the child marriage is predominantly concentrated in Marathwada and rural agriculture belts. Parbhani district recorded the highest rate with 48%. It was followed by Beed (43.7%), Dhule (40.5%) and Solapur (40.3%).
To tackle the problem, the government plans focused outreach among migrant labourers and expansion of facilities such as child care centres and residential homes to ensure children remain in safe environments during migration periods, Ms. Tatkare said.
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