Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced 564 arrests and 481 cases registered in the latest crackdown against child marriages, marking a continuation of the BJP government's efforts. The operation was initiated to eradicate the practice from Assam.
In a recent development, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma disclosed that 564 persons had been arrested and 481 cases registered in the 'latest' crackdown against alleged child marriages within the state. The timeframe for these arrests was not provided by Sarma, who emphasized that the operation would persist until the practice is eradicated.
In September 2021, Sarma reported a total of more than 12,000 cases being registered and over 11,000 arrests made due to Assam’s campaign against child marriage. He also claimed that child marriages have decreased by 81% in 20 districts of the state.
In May 2025, Sarma announced a goal for Assam to be completely free of child marriages by 2026. This declaration follows the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government's four-year endeavor to combat alleged child marriages in Assam.
Thousands of women across the state have protested against the crackdown, stating that the arrested men are the sole breadwinners of their families. Police data reviewed by Scroll reveals a higher number of arrests in districts with a high Muslim population. In February 2023, the Gauhati High Court noted concerns about police action causing havoc in the state while granting anticipatory bail in four separate cases of child marriage.
It is essential to acknowledge that these crackdowns aim to address a widespread social issue and protect children's rights. However, they have been met with protests from families affected by the arrests.
Source:
Scroll.in
