To rein child marriages, Govt. decides on teeth X ray at mass marriages

Bengaluru: Following complaints that many brides who are getting married at mass marriages across the state are below the age of 18 years, the state government has come out with a novel decision to curb such a practice.

Henceforth organisers of mass marriage events must collect the X-ray of teeth of all brides and bridegrooms who will be getting married at the mass marriage events.

This needs to be done before registering the names of the prospective couples. The State health and family welfare department has issued a circular in this regard.

According to the new circular, these X-rays must be taken only in the state-run hospitals to ensure that no foul play takes place. This circular has been issued based on the recommendations made by justice Shivaraj Patil led committee formed by the state government on child marriages in the state.

According to the officials, till now only birth certificates were made compulsory for these marriages. 'But committee has found that many a times these certificates were changed to increase the age of brides and fake certificates were created to facilitate such marriages. To put an end to the such foul play, X-ray has been made compulsory henceforth," explained a senior officer.