Rajasthan girl’s battle against child marriage makes it to CBSE course

JAISALMER: Infamous for its tradition of child marriages, Rajasthan has also had its share of brave hearts who have defied marital bonds tied when they were toddlers.

Eighteen-year-old Laxmi Sargara of Luni in Jodhpur is one such girl. Given in marriage when she was just a year old, to her shock one day the groom's family suddenly came to take her with them. With help from a local NGO Sarthi Trust she appealed at a local court and her marriage was later annulled.

Laxmi's act will now be taught to students of Class XI and XII of CBSE as part of their curriculum on human rights and gender studies. "It is the first example we know of a couple wed in childhood wanting the marriage to be annulled and we hope others take inspiration," said Sarthi's managing trustee Kriti Bharti.

"I was unhappy about the marriage. I told my parents, who did not agree with me, then I sought help," Laxmi had said. But her in-laws were adamant and the matter went to court. The Sarthi Trust helped Laxmi and on April 24, 2012, with agreement of both parties, the marriage was annulled.

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