A 13-Year-old from Kalwad, Jaipur was sold off to a 45-year-old man for Rs 10 lakh. Sounds horrible right? It wasn’t a human trafficking racket that did the unthinkable, but the heartless mother of the child who wanted to marry off her own flesh and blood for money. Incidents like these make us wonder what the world has come to. A mother: the symbol of unconditional love and devotion, sold her daughter off, just like a commodity. Not once did she think of her well-being. However, it was really courageous of the 13-year-old girl to raise voice against child marriage – a horrifying social evil practiced in Rajasthan.
As a means to appreciate her brave spirit, the RSCPCR (Rajasthan State Commission for Protection of Child Rights) decided to felicitate the girl, who set an example for countless other youngsters all over the world. RSCPCR Chairperson Mr. Manan Chaturvedi expressed concern over this issue. Giving us a brief insight into this matter, Chaturvedi informed the media that the buyer hailed from Sawai Madhopur and the wedding was due on June 18.
The matter came to the notice of Rajasthan police when the girl informed her neighbor, the owner of a ration shop. The neighbor sprung to action and reported this matter to the Jaipur district collector. The collectorate promptly informed Jaipur police that rescued the girl from her house. Upon further investigation, it was found that the girl has a disturbing family history.
Her parents live separately since many years; the father being alcoholic doesn’t support their family. She has two siblings that live with other relatives. One of them lives with her grandmother whereas the other lives with the maternal uncle. The girl was living with her mother, who was disturbed due to financial problems. Probably this is the reason she decided to sell her daughter—not an excusable crime though.
Finding her unsafe with her family members, the police send her to Balika Grah (women care hostel) under the supervision of child welfare committee. Her academic records revealed she is a student of Class VIII—a bright and gifted child who wants to be a police officer when she grows up. For now, the police have registered a case against the mother and the buyer. They’re pressing charges for child marriage and trafficking against them.
Meanwhile, the authorities will look after her and encourage her to pursue her dreams.
