Children raising poll slogans: NCPCR asks EC to take action

NEW DELHI: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on Wednesday wrote to the Election Commission calling for “necessary action” on a complaint where “children are actively participating in election campaigning” in a video. “The children can be seen making derogatory remarks and using abusive language in the presence of Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi,” the NCPCR said.
The NCPCR’s letter to the EC came after video triggered a storm on social media. “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?” tweeted Union minister Smriti Irani as she re-tweeted the video which showed children shouting “chowkidar chor hai” and then using abusive language against PM Narendra Modi.
Soon after a longer version of the video appeared where Priyanka was seen telling children not to use abusive language. “Nahin, yeh wala nahin (No, not this one),” she is heard telling the children who them promptly break into “Rahul Gandhi zindabad” slogans.
However, the NCPCR viewed the video with concern. Commission chief Priyank Kanoongo and other members dwelt on the contents at a meeting called in the evening and felt the need to write to the EC as the children were seen “campaigning”.
In January 2017, the NCPCR had written to the chief election commissioner asking that the EC must ensure that children are not involved for election purposes. The commission also recommended to all political parties to not use children for distribution of posters and pamphlets, or participate in slogan shouting and rallies.
The EC had circulated a letter in February 2017 directing that children should not be used for campaigning. In 2013, it had mentioned in a letter that such a violation of children’s right for any work connected with the election process would attract action.