"Children of the entire State of Karnataka are eagerly awaiting to hear your response to our repeated petitions and letters to stop child marriages in our State" was the statement made to Sri. Dharam Singh, the Chief Minister of Karnataka, by 5 young delegates of the Campaign "Say No to Child marriage" at the State Organised Children’s Day celebrations in Bal Bhavan, Bangalore today. They were disappointed to only get "I will look into this matter" as an answer from the Chief Minister.

As a part of a State-wide campaign, the young delegates represented over 7,500 children and adults from around the State who have extended their solidarity to this campaign. At the State Programme, children also submitted their petition to Sri. Rama Linga Reddy, Minister of Public Instruction and Smt. Baghirathi Marulu Siddana Gowda, Minister, Department of Women and Child Development. Both have assured their support to the campaign.

Bhima Sangha members sitting in the auditorium
where the children’s day programme was on

This campaign, initiated by the Concerned for Working Children, Bhima Sangha and Namma Sabha, has gained significant momentum in the past few weeks due to the enthusiastic support of children, their organisations, women’s groups, NGOs and the concern of the media. 

The petition that includes specific recommendations to the head of the State on the actions that have to be taken immediately to address the problem of child marriages has already been endorsed by citizens in Bellary, Davangere, Bangalore, Udupi and North Kanara Districts. In Bangalore City, the children and adults of areas such as Banashankari, K.R. Market, Byappanahalli, Shivaji Nagar, Gulbarga Colony, Old and New Guddadahalli, Koramangala, Cubbon Park and Yeshwanthpur have carried out signature campaigns in support of this movement.

At a 300 strong gathering at the Gandhi Statue this morning from children’s organisations such as Ele Nakshatra Sangha, Hasiru Sangha, Bhima Sangha, Schools children’s organisations, Makkala Panchayats and NGOs such as World Vision, APSA, Pipal tree, Open Space and others have expressed their commitment to sustain this movement until the practice of child marriage is totally eradicated in our State.