5 year old girl and her 9 year old husband-to-be, rescued as they were almost being married off to each other

A five year old little girl who was being married off to her nine-year-old 'husband' was rescued by welfare officials, as they stood at the altar to get married to each other, while their parents looked on.. The wedding ceremony which was taking place in Mambapur, Telangana state, central India, was fortunately stopped by India's Child
Welfare Department officials, who carried the crying 5 year old child away from the venue and into protective custody.

The wedding was said to be a part of a reported caste ritual.

Children's rights activist Achyuta Rao from charity Balala Hakkula Sangham said the parents were conducting the marriage because someone had died recently in the household.

He said:

"As per their custom, no relative will enter their house after the death of a family member, unless they perform an 'auspicious event' and celebrate it."

Police reportedly counselled the parents of both children after the wedding was disrupted.


Source: Studio News