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Faith leaders agree: All religious places should display ‘anti-child marriage’ messages

By Jitendra Parmar* 
As many as 17 faith leaders, together for an interfaith dialogue on child marriage in New Delhi, unanimously have agreed that no faith allows or endorses child marriage. The faith leaders advocated that all religious places should display information on child marriage.
This unique and significant dialogue was organized by the India Child Protection, a coalition partner of the Child Marriage Free India (CMFI), which has already been working hand in hand with state authorities to generate mass awareness, as well as using legal intervention to prevent child marriages.
In a move poised to significantly alter societal perceptions and acceptance of child marriage across all religions, faith leaders from nine religions convened in New Delhi today for a dialogue focused on creating a Child Marriage Free India. 
The 17 faith leaders present at the event unanimously agreed that no religion endorses child marriage, and so no faith leaders should solemnize child marriage in any religion. Agreeing that all religious places should display ‘anti-child marriage’ messages, the faith leaders further agreed to play pivotal roles in eradicating this practice within their respective communities. 
Representing Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity, Buddhism, Baha’i, Jainism, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism, these leaders emphasized the importance of unity in this cause. The dialogue was organized by India Child Protection, a coalition partner of Child Marriage Free India, which comprises over 200 NGO partners working across the country with the goal of ending child marriage by 2030.
The faith leaders further advocated that all children must get access to protection, education and development, and also said that any one promoting or performing child marriage should be punished as per the law.
The dialogue was in the backdrop of the fact that in a profoundly religious country like India, faith leaders hold substantial influence in shaping and sustaining social norms and practices. They often spearhead community activities at both social and moral levels. 
Notably, despite child marriage being a crime as per the law, religion is often used as a cover to perform this social evil by different communities and this has been a major challenge in ending child marriage.
Speaking on the significance of this dialogue, Bhuwan Ribhu, Founder of Child Marriage Free India and author of "When Children Have Children: Tipping Point to End Child Marriage", said:
"A socially accepted crime such as child marriage can only be eradicated with all sections of the society joining forces against it. Faith, religion and law are the cornerstones of civilisation and they need to work together for complete elimination of child marriage. Children are equal before the eyes of God and should be equal in the eyes of the law and justice. There can be no acceptance of different religions governing our children differently.”
CMFI has been actively utilizing public awareness campaigns, village pledges, legal interventions, and now, dialogues with faith leaders to prevent child marriages. CMFI has already been conducting awareness programmes in religious places such as temples, mosques and churches across the country and organizing pledge ceremonies against child marriages with faith leaders such as priests, pundits and maulavis. 
Dispelling the popular opinion on child marriages in Islam, Dr. M. Iqbal Siddiqui of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind said during the dialogue:
“Islam does not prescribe an age for marriage but Islam definitely says that both the bride and groom need to give consent to the marriage and consent can come only after a certain age and maturity. Besides, Islam says that it is important for every Muslim to gain knowledge, but unfortunately, many faith leaders limit this knowledge to only religious knowledge. 
This is entirely misleading because there is a 'dua' which means ‘Impart me the knowledge that benefits me.’ Faith leaders should look at the logical implementation of these teachings and understand that any law that harms mankind is against the Shariyat.”
Maulana Mohammad Ajazur Rahman Shaheen Qasmi, General Secretary, World Peace Organisation, echoed similar thoughts and said that Islam does not endorse child marriage. 
Islam does not prescribe age for marriage but stresses on consent  by bride and groom which can come only after certain age and maturity
Extending solidarity in ending child marriage, Goswami Sushil Ji Maharaj, National Convenor, Bhartiya Sarv Dharm Sansad also said, “Child marriage is an issue across all religions and communities and all of us, faith leaders, are together in seeking solution to end child marriage.”
The unique and landmark dialogue reverberated with the promise of a ‘Child Marriage Free India.’ 
Expressing shock over the number of child marriages in the country, Rev. Dr. Mathew Koickal, Deputy Secretary General, CBC, recounted the single incident of child marriage that he had come across years ago. “It was disheartening to see that 14-year-old child who was forcibly married by her parents. She was still a child and yet her childhood had been snatched from her.” He further said that marriages in Christianity are strictly “governed by the law of the Church.”
Acharya Vivek Muni Ji Maharaj, Founder, Acharya Sunil Muni Mission (ASMC), representing Jainism, said during the dialogue:
“Every religion says that knowledge frees humans from fear, darkness and ignorance. So for child marriage to end, we need to identify such places where child marriage exists and generate awareness in these districts. We are together in this movement to make Child Marriage Free India.”
Other faith leaders who were present during the dialogue echoed similar thoughts and resolved to spread awareness among their communities about child marriages, and simultaneously encourage and promote education for every child.
The faith leaders present at the dialogue included Maulana Mohammad Ajazur Rahman Shaheen Qasmi, General Secretary World Peace Organisation; Ms. Carmel M Tripathi, Director, Bahai Centre Bahapur; Swami Chander Devji Maharaj, Founder, Chairman, Global Saint Samaj Kalyan Foundation; Rabbai Ezekiel Malekkar Jew Head, Jewish Community; Dr. M. Iqbal Siddiqui, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind; Ms. Jasminder Kasturia, Former Ambassador DPR Korea; Rev. Dr. Mathew Koickal, Deputy Secretary General, CBCI; Marazban Nariman Zaiwalla, Behdinpashban, Zoroastrian Parsi Community Delhi; Ms. Nilakshi Rajkhowa, Director, Public Affairs of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahai’s of India; Smt. Rinchen Lhamo, Member of National Commission for Minorities, Government of India; Rev. Dr. Roby Kannanchira CMI, Director, Chavara Cultural Centre; Fr. Sebastian Kollithanam, Corner Stone Foundation; Shri Sanjay Jain, Secretory General, All India Council of Religions for Peace; Goswami Sushil Ji Maharaj, Dwara Mandir, Greater Noida; Acharya Vivek Muni Ji Maharaj, Founder, Acharya Sunil Muni Mission; and Buddhist Acharya Yeshi Phunstong, Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission.
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*With Bachpan Bachao Andolan 

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