JUMLA, Aug 11: Two years ago, Gorkha Budha and Mamita Budha of Patarasi Rural Municipality tied the nuptial knot before reaching an eligible age for marriage. Soon, they started having disputes and misunderstandings in their relationship due to their tender age. That eventually led them to file a complaint at Janachetana Bal Sanrakshan Samiti, a local child committee. After both consented, their marriage registration was scrapped.
Deepak Mahat, a facilitator at Kidark Nepal, Jumla, informed Republica that their two years marriage was scrapped following a complaint filed at the child conservation committee. According to him, the couple who had a brief affair had got married without seeking their parents' permission. However, they were unable to perform their role as husband and wife due to their young age.
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Their marriage registration was scrapped with the approval of the couple and in presence of Purna Prasad Dhital, Chairperson of District Child Welfare Committee. During the time of marriage, Gorkha was 16 while Mamita was only 13.
Even the parents of both the girl and boy have agreed to separate their children. Gorkha was in grade eight while Mamita was in grade six when they eloped and were unable to give continuity to their education after marriage. They started paying more attention to household works instead.
As they were too young to handle the social burden of marriage, their relationship got sour soon. In fact, the girl had to bear more difficulties due to the torturous relationship. Now, after cancelling their marriage, they have decided to continue their studies.
The ward meeting of Patarasi-5 had reached the decision to scrap the marriage. Meanwhile, it has also concluded that the girl and boy can marry whomever they want after reaching the eligible age. The girl's family had filed the complaint demanding to scrap the marriage. Kidark Nepal and World Vision Jumla have provided Rs 2,000 each to Gorkha and Mamita for purchasing stationery as they are about to join school again. Their decision to scrap their two years marriage was greatly welcomed by both organizations as well as the local unit.
As per the provision of Nepal government, a girl must be 20 and boy must be 22 years old to get married. If anyone chooses to get married before the eligible age, the marriage will be illegal.
