Fourteen-year-old Renuka* was a student at a school in Villupuram district. One day, after school, her classmate returned a book she had left behind on her desk. Renuka thanked him and left. But when she went home, she was surprised to see her parents and other relatives waiting for her. They severely scolded for taking a notebook from a boy who belonged to a lower caste. When she tried to explain that he was her classmate, they refused to listen and stopped her from going to school.
They began making arrangements for her marriage to a 30-year-old businessman. But Renuka refused to marry him.
The issue soon came to the attention of child rights activists and the local police. Finally, Renuka’s marriage was stopped.
“This was among the peculiar cases we have handled,” said M.P. Nirmala, Chairperson of the Tamil Nadu State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (TNSCPCR). The Commission has, in the nine months since the new committee took over, prevented 63 child marriages in the State. Most of the cases were from Villupuram and Krishnagiri districts, while some from Chennai.
“We have not been able to get proper information about child marriages happening in Chennai city. It has mostly been hearsay. But we are in constant touch with local officials so that they can help us protect children from child marriages,” said S. Ramalingam, member, TNSCPCR. In most cases, members said, families decide to arrange the marriages of their daughters early so that they would not get involved in a relationship with someone from another caste.
Exploited children
The Commission rescued 132 children from child labour, mainly from the fishing nets sector in Kanniyakumari district. Most of the rescued children hailed from the northeastern States. “The employers promised their families that they would educate the children and pay them for the work they do. But this did not happen and the children ended up being exploited,” said Ms. Nirmala. The children were reportedly made to work for over 10 hours a day and earned only paltry sums.
The TNSCPCR also recorded 1,093 cases of violence committed against children at home, in schools and public places. These incidents include physical and emotional violence by parents, teachers and miscreants in public places. “Poor performance in studies is one of the main reasons of abuse of children by parents and teachers. Children are under tremendous pressure to meet their expectations. But their analytical skills are not developed and they are ill-equipped for today’s world,” said Mr. Ramalingam.
The Commission will be holding discussions with schools and parents to raise awareness about the need to educate their children.
* names changed
