Child marriage has been a matter of great concern in this part of the world. Increased population, maternal health crisis, poor mother and child health, and many other problems are triggered by child marriage. A colonial-era law has prohibited marriage before the age of 18 and for men, this minimum age is 21.
Marriage under this age is a criminal offense. Rubel Hossain of Monirumpur Upazila married Rinki Khatun a few days ago. Groom Rubel Hossain is 24, but the bride Rinki Khatun is only 15. Upazila women affairs officer Nazmun Nahar sent a notice on this child marriage issue. But the Groom Rubel Hossain went into hiding after receiving the notice. Later they came back to their house, government officials and a team of mobile court raided the house.
The groom was fined ten thousand taka, and he would face three months jail for failing to pay the fine. Finally, the groom paid the fine.
According to Bangladeshi law, child marriage can’t be declared invalid. So the court issued an embargo on the marriage till the year 2024. By then the bride Rinki Khatun will be 18 which is the minimum age of marriage for women in Bangladesh.
So, the groom Rubel Hossain and bride Rinki Khatun will be husband and wife after 2024.
