Interfaith Dialogue on a Child Marriage-Free India

Interfaith Dialogue on a Child Marriage-Free India

 10 July 2024 | Constitution Club of India, New Delhi

On 10 July 2024, the Chavara Cultural Centre, in collaboration with India Child Protection, hosted a significant Interfaith Dialogue on a Child Marriage-Free India at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi. The dialogue brought together eminent religious leaders, policymakers, social activists, and representatives from diverse faith traditions to strengthen collective action toward safeguarding children’s rights and eliminating child marriage.

The distinguished gathering included Mrs. Carmel M. Tripathi, Director of Public Information, Baha’i Office of Public Affairs; Ms. Nilakshi Rajkhowa, Director, Office of Public Affairs, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India; Ms. Rinchen Lhamo, Member (Buddhist), National Commission for Minorities, Government of India; Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, former Deputy Speaker, Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile; Rev. Dr. Fr. Mathew Koyickal (Sajimon Joseph Koyickal), Deputy Secretary, CBCI; Swami Chander Dev Ji Maharaj, Founder Chairman, Global Saint Samaj Kalyan Foundation; Goswami Sushil Ji Maharaj, National Convenor, Bhartiya Sarv Dharm Sansad; Maulana A.R. Shaheen Qasmi, General Secretary, World Peace Organization; Mr. Sanjay Jain, Secretary General, All India Council of Religions for Peace; Vivek Muni Maharaj, Founder, Acharya Sushil Muni Mission; Rabbi Ezekiel Isaac Malekar, Head of the Jewish Community in New Delhi; Ambassador Jasminder Kasturia, Former Ambassador of India to DPR Korea; Adv. M.S. Oberoi, former Public Prosecutor, Government of Delhi; and Marazban Nariman Zaiwalla, Behdinpashban and Zoroastrian community representative. Speakers underscored the moral and spiritual responsibility of faith communities to uphold the dignity of children, promote gender equality, and ensure justice within families and society. The dialogue fostered a unified interreligious commitment to advocacy, awareness-building, and policy engagement toward achieving a child marriage-free India. The event stood as a strong testament to collaborative leadership across religions in building a safe, inclusive, and just future for every child.