Guwahati: In a significant stride towards social reform, Assam has witnessed a remarkable 81 per cent decline in child marriage cases across 20 of its 35 districts between 2021-22 and 2023-24. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, attributing this success to the state government’s stringent legal actions, today reaffirmed his resolve to completely eradicate the deeply rooted practice from Assam by 2026.
Sarma disclosed that Assam’s unwavering campaign against child marriage garnered widespread commendation at the recent NDA Chief Ministers’ conclave, chaired by none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Chief Minister shared that Union ministers, his counterparts from other states, and PM Modi himself, lauded Assam’s “vigorous and relentless” efforts in this crucial social battle.
The Prime Minister, deeply impressed by Assam’s model, urged chief ministers of other NDA-ruled states to emulate the state’s approach to combat the menace of child marriage. Furthermore, Modi reportedly advised officials to undertake visits to Assam to gain firsthand insights into the strategies that led to such a notable reduction in child marriages. The day-long conclave saw Chief Ministers present best practices from their respective states across various sectors, including water conservation, grievance redressal, administrative frameworks, education, women empowerment, and sports.
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