Over 20 parliamentarians from multiple political parties came together on Wednesday to chart a roadmap aimed at making India free from child marriage by 2030, joining the central government’s 100-day intensive campaign against the practice.

Speaking at the event titled Dialogue with Parliamentarians on Achieving Children’s Full Potential, Telugu Desam Party leader Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu emphasized that child marriage transcends political and religious lines. “India has shown that when we act with collective resolve, we can achieve results. We eradicated polio and ensured children are in school. With the same commitment, there is no reason why we cannot eliminate child marriage by 2030,” he said.

Devarayalu recently introduced a Private Member’s Bill in the Lok Sabha to strengthen the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA), 2006. The proposed Bill includes stricter penalties, appointment of exclusive Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CPMOs), special courts, and a digital reporting portal to accelerate the goal of a child marriage-free India.

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The MPs also highlighted the growing threat of technology-enabled child sexual abuse and exploitation through social media, calling for age-appropriate restrictions. They urged Parliament to leverage Zero Hour, Private Members’ Bills, and constituency-level advocacy to address these critical issues.

Bhuwan Ribhu, Founder of Just Rights for Children, praised the MPs’ leadership, noting the urgent need to make child protection a national priority. He also supported designating a National Day for Child Marriage Free India to reinforce accountability across government and society, and called on the United Nations to declare a World Day for the Elimination of Child Marriage.

The dialogue drew participation from MPs across parties including Bhim Singh (BJP), Dr. Dharamvira Gandhi (INC), Raja Ram Singh Kushwaha (CPI-ML), Jothimani (INC), John Brittas (CPM), Thiru Arun Nehru (DMK), and Konda Vishweshwar Reddy (BJP), among others. Supporting the campaign, Just Rights for Children launched the Bal Vivah Mukti Rath—a mobile awareness initiative—flagged off across 28 states and 439 districts, with 104 MPs, multiple Chief Ministers, ministers, MLAs, and district officials participating in the outreach.

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