Crackdown On Child Marriages Leads To Mass Arrests in India
Recently, authorities in the northeastern Indian state of Assam began arresting men connected to child marriage. In India, men must be at least 21 to get married and women 18. However, it is estimated that at a minimum 1.5 million girls under the age of 18 get married every year in India, making it the epicenter of child brides. India represents a third of the world’s child bride population and the prevalence of underage girls getting married in Assam is extensive – nearly one out of three marriages involve a girl under 18 – officials hope the crackdown will send a message that this practice will no longer be permissible.
What happened in India?
Instructors: click the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom. The deck contains a writing prompt and a debate question as well as other assessment questions.
Download: CQP_Lecture_Spark_PPT_Crackdown On Child Marriages Leads To Mass Arrests in India
Videos
News Articles
Assam child marriage crackdown ‘creating havoc in private lives’: Gauhati HC
HINDUSTAN TIMES
February 15, 2023
Indian child marriage crackdown leaves families in anguish
AP
February 16, 2023
https://apnews.com/article/india-government-marriage-e7612724891fc79f4d93acb3299d891d
Indian state arrests thousands over child marriages including ‘men from all faiths’
THE INDEPENDENT
February 3, 2023
https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/assam-child-marriages-arrests-india-b2275124.html
Indian police arrest over 2,000 men for illegal child marriages
CBS NEWS
February 4, 2023
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/indian-police-arrest-men-for-illegal-child-marriages/
Assam: India child brides desperate after mass arrests
BBC NEWS
February 10, 2023
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-64564861
EXPLAINED | Crackdown on child marriage in India’s Assam: What really happened?
WION
February 18, 2023
Need to look beyond poverty to tackle child marriage: Smriti Irani
THE INDIAN EXPRESS
February 21, 2023
Poor understanding of maternal, infant mortality rates & misuse of law behind Assam child marriage crackdown
DOWN TO EARTH
February 20, 2023
Assessment
Writing: Why is child marriage so prevalent in India?
Debate: What is the best way to eradicate child marriages?
Poll: Did Indian authorities go too far in their quest to stop child marriages?
Short Answer: What are the ramifications of India’s crackdown on child marriages?
News Quiz
True/False
To thwart child marriage state police in Assam have arrested over 3,000 people. (T/F)
In India, men must be at least 18 to get married and women 21. (T/F)
The justification for the child marriage crackdown dealt with a desire to curb maternal and infant mortality rates. (T/F)
Multiple Choice
Which of the following groups has the Indian government been accused of treating unfairly?
- Muslims.
- Hindus.
- Buddhists.
- Christians.
At a minimum how many girls under the age of 18 get married every year in India?
- 1.25 million.
- 1.5 million.
- 1.75 million.
- 2 million.
All the following are true concerning why child marriage is common in India EXCEPT.
- Patriarchal society.
- Rampant poverty.
- Progressive attitudes.
- Inadequate educational system.
