A 17-year-old Class 11 student in Odisha's Kandhamal district successfully prevented her child marriage by reaching out to the child helpline after repeated attempts to persuade her family to cancel the wedding failed, officials said on Monday.
Teenager Opposes Marriage to Older Man
According to child protection authorities, the teenager strongly opposed her parents' decision to marry her off to a 40-year-old man. In an effort to avoid the marriage, she left her home and took shelter at her aunt's house.
Continued Pressure Despite Shelter
However, the pressure to go ahead with the wedding continued even at her aunt's residence. Her parents reportedly insisted that she return to her native village for the ceremony, prompting her to seek help from the child helpline.
"She continued to be pressured for marriage even at her aunt's house, and her parents wanted her to be back in her native village for the wedding. Following this, she dialled child helpline, 1098, and sought urgent protection," said Shiv Shankar Behera, a member of the Kandhamal district childline.
Rescue and Rehabilitation
Behera said the helpline team immediately informed Sarangagarh police, following which officials rescued the girl from her aunt's residence. After the rescue, the teenager was taken to a One-Stop Centre, where she received temporary shelter and counselling. She was later produced before the Child Welfare Committee.
"She is a meritorious student and wanted to study further. We thank the girl for showing extraordinary courage," Behera added.
