Just a year after implementing a complete ban on liquor in his state, the Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar now eyes to uproot social malpractices like child marriage and dowry system that continues to torment the state of Bihar.
While addressing a function on the occasion of the 141th anniversary of Saint Gadgein Begusarai, Nitish Kumar said,” From the birth anniversary of Gandhiji on October two we will launch an intensive campaign against social evils like dowry and child marriage.”
Laying emphasis on theexisting law of the land and thehealth complications that arise due to child marriage, the supremo of Janata Dal (United) asserted, “We need to get rid of child marriage. Marriage of a girl should not take place before 18 years and that of boy before 21 years as per the existing law. A lot of problems emanate as a result of child marriage.”
Earlier, a reported stated that Bihar is at the top of the table as far as the rate of child marriage in an Indian state is concerned. While the average rate of child marriage in India is 47 per cent, in Bihar the figure jumps by 13 per cent, the report stated.
Nitish Kumar, who gained appreciation from all corners of the country for enforcing total prohibition on alcohol in his state, also aims to eradicate the dowry system that is rampant in Bihari society which often leads to violence against women.
“Earlier, it (dowry) was prevalent among affluent sections of society, but now it has become a practice in all sections of society. This is a social evil which needs to be done away with,” the CM said.
According to a government report published in 2015, it was stated that a total of 24,771 dowry deaths were reported in India in the last 3 years. Although Uttar Pradesh emerged as the topper in context of dowry death, the report highlights that the figure is Bihar is 3,830.
