Identify & Counsel Children Participating in Shaheen Bagh Protests, Says Commission for Child Rights

New Delhi: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has taken cognizance of viral videos of children participating in the anti-citizenship Act protests at Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh.

The child rights body has written to the district magistrate, South East Delhi, to issue directions for counselling of these children and, if need be, of their parents as there are "rumours regarding citizenship”.

The subject of the letter said, “Viral videos of children participating during protests against citizenship amendment act at Shaheen bagh.”

It has highlighted that NCPCR has taken cognizance of the complaint on the above subject under section 13 of CPCR Act 2005.

“As per complaint, there are children shouting that their elders have told them that Prime Minister and Home Minister will ask them to provide documents of citizenship and if they fail to produce, they will be sent to detention centre where they will not be allowed food and clothing,” said the letter to the DM.

It added that it appears “these children might be brought under the influence of rumours, miscommunication and as a result of which, these children may suffer from mental trauma. In view of seriousness of the issues and impact on the children, you are requested to issue necessary directions to DCPO along with police child welfare officers to identify these children and arrange counselling sessions for them and also for their parents if deemed fit. Further if required children may be produced before the CWC also.”

Speaking to News 18.com, NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo said, “We have written to the authorities to conduct counselling of children as the protests on citizenship must have traumatised them. They need counselling.”