Gold medalist says father forcing her into child marriage

A minor girl, who is a national weight lifting champion alleged that her father and uncle were planning to get her married. The girl said that she did not feel safe at home and expressed her wish to continue her studies.

Bharatpur: A 14-year-old girl of Rajasthan's Bharatpur, who won the gold medal in national level weight lifting, has been assured of security by Rajasthan State Child Protection Commission on Tuesday after she alleged that her father was planning to get her married.

According to sources, the mother of the girl on Monday urged Rajasthan State Child Protection Commission, chairman, Sangeeta Beniwal that her daughter was harassed by her father and he was wanting to get her married forcefully to a youth.

"My father is about to take me away from Bharatpur and marry me off. I do not want to get married now. I want to continue my studies. But my father will not hear any my pleas," the girl told Beniwal.

The teenager has participated in five national level weightlifting competitions so far and has won gold medals in all of them. She also wants to continue playing in the future too. But her father and uncle are constantly pressuring her to marry.

She alleged that her father would torture her regularly for not toeing the line. They also prevent her from participating in the games. The girl said that her cousin was also forced a few months ago on the pretext of getting her married.

The girl said that she did not feel safe at her home and also expressed her wish to continue her studies.

"My husband and my in-laws were constantly torturing me and my daughter. My husband has stolen all jewelry from our house and with some excuse, they were planning to get my daughter married to someone," the girl's mother said.

The State Child Protection Commission, Beniwal has assured that the mother and daughter would be provided complete security.

"We have already informed the district collector in this regard and also demanded police to investigate this case. The education and sporting activities of the girl will not be stopped. We will also take action against her father and family members," Beniwal said.