Hoshiarpur: - In accordance with the guidelines of the Social Security and Women and Child Development Department, awareness activities are continuously being conducted in Hoshiarpur district under the Child Marriage Free India campaign, which is running from November 27, 2025, to March 8, 2026. Under the leadership of District Program Officer Gagandeep Singh, the Child Marriage Free campaign is being observed daily in all Anganwadi centers of the district. In this connection, an awareness program was organized on December 24, 2025, in Ajram village, Hoshiarpur-1 block, Hoshiarpur district, with the cooperation of Anganwadi centers and government schools.
This special campaign has been launched by the Punjab government with the aim of curbing the increasing incidents of child marriage in the state and ensuring strict action against this serious social evil. It is being run with the joint cooperation of the Women and Child Development Department, the Police Department, and the Social Justice Department. The administration has clarified that child marriage is not only a social crime but also a serious violation of the law.
According to the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, the marriage of a girl under 18 years of age and a boy under 21 years of age is completely illegal, and there is a provision for legal action against the parents, relatives, panchayat members, and priests/Qazis involved in such marriages.
In various villages of the district, people are being made aware of the ill effects of child marriage with the help of ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, and school management. Citizens are also being encouraged to contact Child Helpline 1098 for any information related to child marriage.
Every piece of information received will be kept completely confidential. Officials said that child marriage not only harms the future of children but also has a profound negative impact on their health, education, and social development.