17 years later, child bride fights back

Savita runs a grocery store that’s doing fairly well. She’s the sole bread-winner for her family of six.

‘‘I’ll never accept that marriage. It was illegal,’’ she says. ‘‘My family is at fault, but now they realise their mistake and are not forcing me to go and live with my in-laws in Rajasthan.’’

The pressure began, she says, after a recent meeting she had with her husband Munna Chaundia, the first after their childhood marriage. As with other communities practising child marriage, Marwari Jats too require bride to go to live with the in-laws and husband only after crossing her teens.

At a small get-together, the two families exchange gifts and the bride goes to live with her husband.

‘‘My husband gave me his photograph when we met at an uncle’s house, but I tore it up,’’ she said. ‘‘I’ve seen many child marriages, but I don’t like the whole idea.’’

All sort of pressure is being brought to bear on her. Her in-laws say they will annul the marriage only if they are paid Rs 5 lakh. The sarpanch of their community panchayat is trying to ensure that the matter is settled and she goes and lives with her husband.

‘‘The community is even blaming me for my father’s recent death,’’ she says. ‘‘They say he died of shock at my refusal to honour the marriage and at the ostracisation. But my father knew I’d never accept the marriage.’’

Savita has already approached advocates and non-government organisations for support. She knows that if the matter reaches court, her in-laws, the panchayat, and others will all be put behind bars.

Ignoring that, panchayat chief Mangilal Chaudhary says, ‘‘She’s an immature girl. Our culture accepts child marriage and she’ll have to accept whatever the community decides.’’

Savita is lucky in that she has the support of her two brothers, who stand by her, and are trying to convince the community and the panchayat to roll back the ostracisation order. And she’s not giving up.