After a video went viral on social media in which children were seen using abusive language for Prime Minister Narendra Modi before Congress General Secretary for eastern Uttar Pradesh, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has written to the Election Commission of India in which NCPCR directed EC to take “necessary action”.
According to reports, in its letter, NCPCR told Chief Election Commissioner that, “the Commission is in receipt of a complaint, wherein a video link has been shared, in which it is seen that children are actively participating in election campaigning. The children can be seen making derogatory remarks and using abusive languages in the presence of Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi.”
The commission also cited previous orders to the poll body, based on observations by the NCPCR and Bombay High Court, where it had refrained the use of minors for the purpose of campaigning. “Such violation of children’s right for any work connected with election process like campaigning, carrying of campaigning material, etc would attract necessary action and apart from facing the consequences of the law, if any, will be taken by the commission against erring political parties,” the letter read.
The commission went on to add that in a letter on January 20, 2017, it had asked EC “to ensure that children are not involved for election purposes and also, had recommended to all national parties to not to use children for distribution of posters/pamphlets, participate in slogan shouting, rallies, etc.”
The video was shared by Union Minister Smriti Irani on Tuesday and wrote, “Uncouth to the core. Imagine the filthiest of abuses that a Prime Minister has to endure from people whose only claim to fame is a nose. Lutyens outrage anyone ????”
