Under Age marriage
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Minor+flees+home+to+escape+marriage&artid=dKzTQE9ZhbY=&SectionID=vBlkz7JCFvA=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=EL7znOtxBM3qzgMyXZKtxw==&SEO=Minor flees home to escape marriage
SALEM: Just fourteen, Bhuvaneswari, of Aragalur near Attur, fled home and sought help of officials here to stop her marriage with a 35-year-old man scheduled for Thursday and to continue her education.A Class IX government school student, Bhuvaneswari left home and reached Salem in the wee hours of Wednesday. Bhuvaneswari said she waited all alone in the bus stand for the dawn to break and went to the Collectorate. As the Collector was not in office she spoke to the Adhidravidar Welfare Officer.Narrating her sob story to the officer, the girl said she was betrothed against her wishes to one Baskaran from Rasipuram a month ago, and the marriage was fixed for Thursday. She alleged that despite her pleas to call off the wedding her father Kathiravan, a construction worker, and Baskaran (35) stuck to their decision. As breaking a marriage vow was considered a taboo, the parents went ahead with the preparations, Bhuvaneswari told the officer.“My cries and my pleadings were of no avail. Some relatives, who sympathised with me, counseled my parents but they could not prevail on them. Even a threat to commit suicide could not change their decision,” she added.Bhuvaneswari was later taken to the Superintendent of Police N M Mayilvahanan to whom she narrated her story and sought protection saying she was afraid of going home, as she feared her parents would beat her to death for defying them.“The matter seems to be a blatant violation of the law that prohibits marriage below 18 years for women,” Mayilvahanan said and added that he has decided to deal the matter at the Thalaivasal police station. The girl’s parents and Baskaran and his parents were summoned to the police station. Bhuvaneswari was also taken there. The two sides would be questioned and warned of the consequences of violating the law, Mayilvahanan added. Bhuvaneswari would be counseled to return home but if she remains apprehensive, steps will be taken to send her to some government hostels for women, said the Superintendent of Police.feedback@epmltd.com
