Balika Wadhu is free from the shackles of child marriages, now ‘Maina’ will fly in exploitation free sky

Balika Wadhu is free from the shackles of child marriages, now ‘Maina’ will fly in exploitation free sky

Family members were terrorized in pressure of community leaders, and now with the help of Saarthi Trust, Maina’s child marriage is annulled which took place at the age of 10 months.

Jodhpur: On the occasion of India’s Independence Day Maina has got freedom from the 17 year long vice of child marriage which she was forced into when she was only ten months old. After her child marriage, this teenage bride (Balika Vadhu) has contacted the rehabilitation psychologist & managing trustee of Saarthi Trust, Dr. Kriti Bharti and got the courage to fight against the injustice and to file a petition in the family court to annul her marriage. Judge Pradeep Kumar Jain of the family court-1 of Jodhpur issued an order to annul the child marriage.

Eighteen years old Maina, daughter of a daily labourer of Dhandhaniya Bhayla village was tied in child marriage in 26 December 2001 with the boy of Udaysar village. At the time of child marriage maina was only ten months old. Maina decided to come out of the child marriage bond and when her in-laws knew about it they approached community panchs and pressurized family members of Maina so that she withdrew her decision. With the aid and support of Dr. Kriti Bharti, Maina refused to accept the child marriage, this year.

Community Leaders was in opposition-

Caste panchs also threatened the family of penalty and social boycott if the child marriage was annulled. Parents of Maina were so depressed because of the pressure of community but with the support of Dr. Kriti Bharti Maina knocked the doors of court to come out from this malpractice.

Knocked the doors of court

Meanwhile, Maina with the help of Dr. Kriti Bharti, managing trustee of Saarthi trust and rehabilitation psychologist, filed a petition in February this year in the Family Court- 1 of Jodhpur to annul her child marriage. Dr. Kriti also helped and took steps for security of Maina and helps her to fight for her right. Dr. Kriti appeared and argued on behalf of Maina and presented documents relating to her age and forceful child marriage.

Counseling helped in mutual consent between both parties

Meanwhile, Dr. Kriti Bharti counseled said to be husband of Maina and his family members. After that they also had given their consent to annul the child marriage.

Order to annul the child marriage

After which judge Pradeep Kumar Jain of family court- 1 of Jodhpur while giving a stern message to the society about evil of child marriage passed orders to annul Maina’s child marriage.

Tears of happiness

As the verdict was pronounced tears rolled down the cheeks of Maina and she hugged Dr. Kriti Bharti.

Pressure of Community Leaders remains

Even after getting the annulment orders from court, the pressure of community leaders remains. They are still pressuring Maina’s family and threatening them to file penalty or ostracized them by the community. For this, Dr. Kriti is taking judicial action against it.

Leading in child marriage annulment

1. is important to mention that Dr.Kriti Bharti of Saarthi Trust is associated with unique movement and had made the first annulment of child marriage in India and then after in 2015 she made annulment of two child marriages in 3 days of court proceedings and created a history. For that she found a place in the World Records of India, Unique World Records, India Book of Records and also in Limca Book of world Records and she also made many records in her social working field. These works are also included in CBSE curriculum. Trust has annulled 40 child marriages in India and also prevented thousands of child marriages and made different records. For such bravery act Dr. Kriti Bharti, has been honored with Marwar Ratan, Mewar Ratan and other national and international honors for saving the children from exploitation.

They said

• This child marriage had ruined me totally but Kriti Didi has given me a new life by the annulment of my child marriage. Now I will study and wanted to stand on my own feet so not to depend on others.

- Maina, Survivor of child marriage.

• This is a real freedom which we have given to Maina on the occasion of Independence Day. Best efforts are being made for better rehabilitation after annulment of her child marriage. She is linked with the education and her skills are also being honed. Some Community leaders are still pressurizing her family. If needed, judicial action will be taken.

-Dr. Kriti Bharti, Managing Trustee and Rehabilitation Psychologist, Saarthi Trust Jodhpur