In a letter addressed to the chief secretaries of school education departments across the country, NCPCR president Priyank Kanungo emphasized the need for strict adherence to child protection laws, especially in the context of the upcoming festivals.

New Delhi: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), the apex child rights body, has issued a directive to all states and union territories, calling for immediate measures to prevent corporal punishment and discrimination against children during school festivals. This comes in response to numerous reports of students being harassed for cultural and religious practices like wearing rakhi, tilak or mehndi during festivals like Rakshabandhan.

In a letter addressed to the chief secretaries of school education departments across the country, NCPCR president Priyank Kanungo emphasized the need for strict adherence to child protection laws, especially in the context of the upcoming festivals.

Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act 2005

Established under the Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005, the Commission monitors the implementation of key laws including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, 2012, Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection). Child) Act, 2015, and Right to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.

The letter highlights the tendency of schools to restrict students' participation in cultural and religious practices, often resulting in physical and psychological harassment. The commission noted that this is in direct violation of Section 17 of the RTE Act, which expressly prohibits corporal punishment in schools.

“As the festival approaches, the authorities concerned should issue necessary directives and schools will not follow any practice that may result in corporal punishment or discrimination against children,” Kanungo said in the letter. He further requested that compliance reports, along with copies of relevant orders, be submitted to the Commission by August 17.

SC to hear NCPCR plea on child marriage

The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to list for hearing a petition by child rights group NCPCR seeking an official ruling on the vexed legal question of whether a secular law banning child marriage will prevail over Muslim personal law.

A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra was urged by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to hear the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) petition on priority. High Courts on the issue of child marriage.

Some high courts are taking cognizance of individual laws on the subject and are giving conflicting judgments and this could lead to several Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) being filed in the Supreme Court, law officials said.

“Different views are being taken by different high courts. The issue is whether child marriage is allowed in one religion or another. We (NCPCR) are arguing on constitutional principles,” the law officer said.

He requested the bench that NCPCR's 2022 petition be listed “on any Wednesday or Thursday” as fresh judgments of different high courts are being delivered and appeals are piling up.

(with input from agencies)