NC led govt failed to establish commission on child rights

As NC led govt failed to establish commission on child rights,

Political parties started selling innocence of children

Saahil Suhail

Srinagar, April 18: With collation government led by National Conference failed to establish commission on protection of child rights in the state equivalent to NCPCR, political parties have started selling innocence of children in the political market of Jammu and Kashmir.

The state’s largest opposition party, People’s Democratic Party couple of days before issuedtheir election manifesto for the parliamentary elections filled with promises and hopes but the cover page of manifesto booklet shocked many social and child rights activists in the valley.

On its front page party has published the picture of two innocent children, one wearing school uniform while as another one in formal clothes waving the party flag atop a stone on road side. As one sees the cover page of the manifesto also available on website, the innocent faces of both the kids forces the viewer to guess that both of them might be from a far-flung are of the state belonging to ST category.

Although Election commission authorities maintain that publishing a picture like this, not amounts to violations of model code of conduct but social activists are of the view that ethically, morally and socially it is wrong to sell the innocence of children- that have no active role in election process, in political market to woo voters,

“I wonder if election commission of India has not put provisions in place banning publishing such pictures, Children are our collective asset and future of the country so how a political party can sell their innocence, poverty or social backwardness in political market like cakes. I feel party must say sorry and pay compensation to them.” Rao Farman Ali, well know child rights activists told Early Times.

He said that tragically besides recommendations of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)  that state has not till established the commission for the protection of child rights and the picture published by the political party on their cover page of manifesto booklet  reveals the tall claims of social welfare ministry of the state.  

“From Past over several years we tried enough to compel the government for the same but what I tell you is that neither social welfare ministry know about the commission nor the law department has any idea.” He added.

Along with People’s Democratic Party ruling National Conference, Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and others whose candidates are fighting the electoral battle in the world’s largest democracy continue to upload pictures of children to woo the voters while exploiting the innocence of children.

Pertinently, Jammu and Kashmir is the only that don’t have commission for the protection of Childs rights.  

Nayeem Akther, Chief Spokesman of People’s Democratic Party, denied having any information about the compensation being paid to children.

“I don’t have any idea,” Nayeem said and dropped the call