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Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (DV)
Mangalore, Aug 19: Patil Nagalingana, chairman, Juvenile Justice Board on Tuesday August 19 said that the responsibility of Juvenile Justice Board is not restricted to protecting the rights of children alone, but also preventing them from committing crimes.
He was addressing an awareness programme on 'Protection of children's rights - Social responsibility of citizens' organized by Education Resource Centers Union, Dakshina Kannada at School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya here on Tuesday August 19.
"After the Delhi gang-rape incident, major changes were made in the Juvenile Justice Act and our responsibility has increased. The Juvenile Justice Board has received many complaints related to violation of the rights of children. But along with protecting children's rights, it should also work towards preventing children from getting involved in crimes and anti-social activities." Nagalingana said.
"We also need to act against those who use children as tools for illegal activities. Children's minds need to deviated from criminal inklings to more productive ends," he said, giving examples of Mumbai terror attack where youngsters in their 20s had been involved.
Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim said, "Children's rights and their development depends on the existing situation of the country. Developed nations emphasize on education and rights of children but developing countries have to emphasize on poverty along with rights and education. Though the Constitution assures compulsory education till the age of 14, even after 67 years of Indian Independence we have failed to implement universal education. Hence we should contemplate on ths situation.
"Countries like Ethiopia and Somalia, though they may be facing many problems like poverty and terrorism, are good when it comes to education. Our educational institutions have failed to attract children to schools and failed to check dropouts. Children who are deprived of education are working in garages and cracker shops. We feel that educational institutions have failed to create good citizens. Our is a participatory democracy, it will be successful when people take part in democratic process," he said.
Asha Nayak, immediate past president of Child Welfare Committee, said, "Preserving the rights of children is our duty. Be committed to your work without fear or favour. Though we pat our backs as a 'district of intelligent people', Dakshina Kannada is witnessing the highest number of crimes against children. In city there many number of sexual assaults on children. In the last three years we have received 60 complaints of sexual assualts on children. Protecting the rights of children is our responsibility."
Dr Remila Shekar of Roshni Nilaya said, "We perceive that usually children from poor families, orphans, and deprived families come in conflict with law but even children from good families are found violating the law. We need to contemplate on how children are misled what is our responsibility and role in protecting rights of children."
Asha Thimappa Gowda, president of DK zilla panchayat said, "Earlier, when children lived in joint families they were not easily misled. They were brought up with the experience of elders. But now children are living in nuclear families, and we have failed to instill respect towards elders in them."
On this occasion deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim felicitated immediate past president of Child Welfare Committee, members and the newly-appointed president Nikesh Shetty and members.
D G Nagesh, assistant labour commissioner, Dr Renni D'Souza, director of Padi-Childline were present.