“So that I may be called one who shall display the splendour of Jehovah“
[Feb.09.2023] The Hindustan Times and AFP reported on the 4th that a state in India has cracked down on underage marriage cases and arrested about 2,000 men. The state government of Assam stated that more than 1,800 men have been arrested for marrying or arranging marriages to underage girls through the large-scale crackdown operations since the 2nd of this month.
The priests who organized the wedding ceremony and officials who accepted the marriage registrations even though they knew of the underage marriages were arrested. Police in Assam Province are continuing their crackdown, believing there will still be more cases.
Assam Prime Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said one in eight women in Assam would have a child before turning 18, contributing to high infant and maternal mortality rates. He said, “I had requested the police to act with zero tolerance against the unpardonable and heinous crime on women.”
Marriage under 18 is illegal in India. In 2017, the Supreme Court of India ruled that sexual intercourse with an underage wife, even between husband and wife, constitutes sexual assault. However, the law is openly flouted. Millions of children are forced into child marriage, especially in poor rural areas.
The United Nations estimates that about 1.5 million underage girls marry every year and the largest number of child marriages in the world are in India (Source: Yonhap News).
To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. (Isaiah 60:2-3)
God, we pray for India where more than 2,000 men were arrested for underage marriages. May You stop the evil practice of child marriage in India and comfort those who are mourning. May You direct the government to do its best to stop the underage marriage. May Your church pray and spread the gospel to the next generation so that they will be nurtured under Your protection and guidance. We pray that a year of favour will be proclaimed to millions of young girls so that they may be raised to display Your glory.
Prayer 24·365
prayer@prayer24365.org
