When I was 15 and in Class IX, my aunt brought an alliance for me as I was supposed to be pretty and the boy was not asking for too much dowry. My friends got to know about this and reported the matter to the school head master. He asked me about it and I confirmed it, saying I did not want to get married. He called my parents to school and cautioned them that a case could be lodged against them since I was underage. But my parents continued with preparations for the marriage. I told my friends and they informed the headmaster. He called Childline who contacted all the local officials. They came to my house and spoke to my parents - but they were still not willing to stop the marriage.
Childline got me enrolled in Class IX at KGBV Dharur to prevent me from being married. I completed Class X and again my mother started to pressure me. She scolded and threatened me, alleging that I had brought disrepute to the family and pushed them into debt. I sought the help of Childline to continue my education as they had helped in stopping my marriage. They helped me get a seat in Vikarabad and I am now studying in Class XI staying in the SC hostel.
Narrative provided by M Venkatarangaiya Foundation in their report ‘…and they never lived happily ever after. The battle for justice goes on: Voices of married girls in Telangana’
