Nobel Peace laureate Kailash Satyarthi said here on Monday that “children should not be, or get, involved in politics”.
“Children need love and compassion to fulfil their dreams. I am against every form of violence. The children should not resort to any form of violence,” said Mr. Satyarthi, who launched his Bharat Yatra, a campaign for child rights, here.
‘Past is past’
Refusing to comment on issues of pellet-hit minor victims and the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, he said, “Past is past. I have come here to fight for child rights and will knock at every door for the children of Kashmir. They are like my own children.”
He expressed the desire to meet the pellet-hit victims. “An injury to a kid sends pain through the entire humanity. The innocence of the children gives us lot many lessons about the simplicity of life and all sections should protect their innocence,” he said.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti accompanied him. “All sections of society should play their role in protecting their childhood, which unfortunately gets disrupted due to uncertainties or political turmoil,” Ms. Mufti said.
She said the issues faced by the children of Jammu and Kashmir were bigger than those of their counterparts elsewhere.
“Unfortunately, children have become victims of violence and uncertainty, robbing them of their innocent childhood,” the Chief Minister said.