In the run-up to the general election next year and assembly elections in a number of states in December, political parties have been making tall claims and some totally outlandish promises.
One such promise was made in Rajasthan by a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from the Sojat assembly seat, reported India Today
Shobha Chouhan has promised the people of her constituency that she would ensure child marriages are not acted against if she is voted to power. Chauhan was addressing a gathering at a Sneh Sammelan at the Peepaliya Kala region in Sojat area.
During the course of the event, it was mentioned to Chauhan that members of the Dewasi community held child marriages, during which they faced interference by police.
A viral video shows Chauhan promised to the people present that she would not let anything of this sort happen.
“We have ‘satta’ [power] and ‘sangathan’ [state government] at our disposal. We won’t let the police intervene in child marriages,” she is seen saying in the video. The promise has sparked off a controversy as the nation, especially Rajasthan, has been trying to do away with the age-old custom of child marriage. Specials acts have also been in place to serve the purpose.
