A tradition that lands tribal youth in jail

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POSCO) is an effective deterrent to sexual exploitation and harassment of minors.

Many tribals, who are ignorant of the stringent provisions in the Act, marry minor girls, in keeping with their traditional practice, and end up in jail on rape charges. Most cases are registered without any formal complaint from the girls or their parents.

The situation is prevalent in almost all tribal belts of Kerala, the worst affected are the Paniya and Kattunaika community members in Wayanad.

Child marriage is common among the Paniya and Kattunaikars tribes and this has remained a part of their custom for many years.

These people are not aware of the existence of a law or even the age of majority status under the Indian law.

The law needs sensible implementation. There is a blind spot in the law that says it is applicable to all people, irrespective of their customs, practices or their vulnerability.