Karnataka Criminalizes Child Engagements: A Major Step to End Early Marriages in India -

In a landmark legislative move, the Karnataka government has approved a new bill criminalising the engagement and betrothal of minors, making it one of the most progressive steps taken by any Indian state in recent years to combat child marriage. The decision, taken during a state cabinet meeting in July 2025, expands the legal framework of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, and reflects growing concern over the rise in early and forced marriages, especially in rural and economically weaker regions.

What Does the New Law Say?

Under the new provisions, engaging a child (below 18 years for girls and 21 for boys) for marriage even before the actual wedding is now a punishable offence. This makes engagement ceremonies involving minors legally invalid, and all those involved, including parents, guardians, or community elders, liable to face legal consequences.

The legislation also includes:

Criminal prosecution for those facilitating child engagements or marriages, including priests, event organizers, and community leaders.
Empowerment of Child Marriage Prohibition Officers to intervene even in the pre-marital stages.
Fast-track trials to ensure speedy justice and deterrence.

Why This Law Was Needed

The move comes in response to disturbing data showing a surge in child marriage cases across Karnataka:

In 2023–24 alone, nearly 700 child marriages were reported in the state.
Many more went unreported, often justified under cultural, religious, or economic pressures.
Child marriage continues to contribute to poor health outcomes, school dropouts, teenage pregnancies, and cycles of poverty, especially among girls.

Despite the existing national law (PCMA 2006), enforcement has remained weak, and engagements were not technically illegal, leaving loopholes for families and communities to exploit. This new act plugs that gap.

Focus on Girls and Marginalised Communities

The law has a special focus on protecting girl children from early unions, as they are most often the victims of forced engagements. The cabinet noted that Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities and those in rural and semi-urban areas faced disproportionate pressure to marry girls early often due to dowry fears or fears around “family honour.”

By criminalising not only the act of marriage but also its preparatory stage, the Karnataka government aims to shift public perception and eliminate “social consent” around child marriage.

Implementation: Beyond Laws

The success of the act will depend heavily on robust implementation mechanisms, including:

Community-level awareness campaigns through schools, panchayats, and local NGOs.
Greater training and deployment of Child Protection Officers and police in rural areas.
Counselling and rehabilitation for rescued children and families.
Integration with welfare schemes like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao and conditional cash transfers for girls who stay in school.

The government has also proposed setting up District Child Marriage Prevention Cells to monitor at-risk families and regions.

Legal Backing & Constitutional Grounds

This legislative change aligns with Article 15(3) and Article 39(f) of the Indian Constitution, which empower the State to make special provisions for children and safeguard them from abuse. It also upholds India’s international commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly Goal 5.3, which seeks to eliminate child marriage by 2030.

Reactions and Criticisms

While children’s rights activists, educators, and women’s organisations have widely welcomed the move, some religious and caste-based groups have expressed concerns about interference in tradition. Legal experts, however, point out that personal law cannot override constitutional protections for children.

Critics have also urged the state to ensure that punitive measures are balanced with education, economic support, and counselling, to avoid deepening trauma in vulnerable families.

Conclusion: A Model for Other States?

Karnataka’s decision to criminalise child engagements marks a paradigm shift in India’s fight against child marriage. It signals a shift from reactive to preventive enforcement, recognizing that early engagement often leads inevitably to early marriage. If effectively implemented, the law could serve as a model for other Indian states grappling with similar challenges.

Ultimately, legal reforms must walk hand in hand with social change, ensuring that children especially girls are free to dream, learn, and grow without being pushed into premature adult responsibilities.

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