Mumbai: Probe use of kids in Aarey stir, govt told

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has asked the deputy director of education, Mumbai division, to probe into allegations of school students being forced to take part in a protest against a Metro carshed at Aarey Colony. It has sought a report in 20 days.

The action by NCPCR came on a complaint from non-profit Legal Rights Observatory (LRO), which said that dragging children to protests exposes them to risks and deprives them of education. LRO has also written to the education department demanding action.

LRO national convenor Vinay said, "We learnt about this through several social media posts where pictures were being circulated of Catholic Church-run schools students standing with leaflets and placards during Save Aarey protests."

Vinay said authorities should investigate the role of Stalin Dayanand of Vanashakti, which is opposed to the Metro 3 carshed and filed a petition in the Bombay High Court, in encouraging the schools to send the students for agitation.

The LRO functionary said Stalin has posted on social media a photograph of schoolkids in uniform holding placards. "We have asked the education department to identify the school from the uniform and take action against it."

LRO has sought proceedings under Section 23 of the Juvenile Justice Act. It says anybody having entrusted with the care of children can't expose them to any act that can create unnecessary mental or physical suffering. Violators can be jailed up to six months.

Citing a precedent, Vinay said two years ago, NCPCR had fined an organisation from Meghalaya Rs 2 lakh for using school children for political agenda. "Hence, we approached the NCPCR in this matter," he added.

Stalin of Vanashakti termed all the allegations "nonsense" and "baseless".

Father Nigel Barrett, the spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Bombay that looks at the Archdiocesan Board of Education which is a certified body for Catholic Institutions in Mumbai, Thane and Raigad districts, denied the charges. "There are many schools that participated in the protests but with no agenda whatsoever. It was only with the aim of preserving nature."

NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo said they sent a letter to the deputy director of education (DyDE) on September 25, a copy of which is with DNA, asking the authorities to submit a report in 20 working days. "Perusal of the complaint indicates that school children are involved in various non-educational activities which not only seems to be a violation of child rights but also a matter of concern from the safety point of view of the children," reads the letter.

DyDE Rajendra Ahire didn't respond to calls and messages.