An awareness rally against child marriage was organised by Women and Child Welfare Department in city this morning.

More than 200 NSS students of Maharani’s Arts College took part in the rally which was flagged off by Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep in front of his office.

Speaking on the occasion, Randeep said that the Dist. Administration had stopped 81 child marriages in the district between April 2016 and January 2017.

Highlighting the need for widespread awareness campaigns on the ill-effects of child marriage, the DC said that it was more important to hold awareness campaigns at Gram Panchayat level, as most of the child marriages are taking place in rural areas. Asking all mass marriage organisers to carefully scrutinise all records pertaining to the age of the bride, he underlined the role of parents in preventing child marriages.

He called upon girl students to take part in more such campaigns in an effort to eradicate child marriage.

The rally passed through Hunsur Road, Metropole Circle and JLB Road before culminating at Maharani’s Arts College.

Women and Child Welfare Deputy Director K. Radha, Development Officer K. Padma, District Child Protection Officer Nagaraj, District Programme Officer Nagesh Bilwa, Maharani’s Arts College Principal Prof. Vijay and others were present.