A 17-year old girl, from a village in Tumkuru district, broke out of her 4-month old marriage to have an independent life. She approached the Department of Women and Child Development for assistance.
According to The Hindu, the girl was forced to marry a man from the same district in May this year. She is now in the custody of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). She is from Hale Gubbi in Gubbi taluk of Tumakuru district.
While she was still pursuing her first year in a pre-University college, she was forced by her parents to marry Harish, a resident of Baraguru in Chikkanayakanahalli taluk of the district.
According to the newspaper report, her mother, Sharadamma, was determined to get her married to a man who was from their caste (Lingayat), as Hemalatha was then in a relationship with Thyagaraj, from the Scheduled Tribe, of the same village. Her mother had registered a case in Gubbi police station under POCSO against Thyagaraj.
Thyagaraj, who was arrested and is now out on bail.
However, Hemalatha had an unhappy marriage since her husband suspected her of having an affair and would frequently quarrel with her, said the newspaper report.
Hemalatha was not allowed to seek refuge in her mother’s house.
The newspaper reported that when she went to her parents’ house, her mother sent her back to her husband.
Following repeated rejections, she decided to live a financially independent life.
The Hindu reported that on September 3, she contacted the Department of Women and Child Development and explained her plight.
The Hindu quoted Ambika, protection officer in Gubbi taluk saying, “The officials immediately took her into their custody and handed her over to Tumakuru district CWC.”
She was produced before the Tumakuru district CWC on September 14.
Hemalatha wants to study and be financially independent.
The newspaper quoted a CWC member S. Ramesh saying, “Hemalatha does not want to go back to her husband, but wants to marry the boy whom she is in love with. She wants to continue her education and become financially independent. We want to protect her interests, as she is a minor.”