06.05.2008
To
The Chairperson
National Commission for Protection of Child Rights
5th Floor, Chandralok Building
Janpath, New Delhi-110001
Sub: Complaint regarding undignified manner of the distribution of food to the homeless street children in violation of their right to life with dignity
Respected Madam,
I would like to bring to your kind notice that I have come across a photograph appeared in a leading newspaper, The Hindustan Times, New Delhi dated 20.04.2008 (copy enclosed hereto) which depicts that the food was being distributed by Mr. Yoganand Shastri, Hon’ble Health Minister of Delhi and others amongst the homeless street children in full public view. The following was written below the photograph, “Street children are being fed lunch as part of Aapki Rasoi, conceived by the Delhi Government, an effort to eradicate hunger from the streets of the Capital. Everyday voluntary groups will provide a meal to the poor and homeless across the city. The Hindustan Times has adopted the night shelter at Jhandewalan. Lunch will be distributed for free near this night shelter from 12 pm to 1 pm every day”.
I may submit that my grievance is not at all against the distribution of food amongst the homeless street children but against the very manner in which it is done. The very fact that the food being served to the homeless street children in full public view and the publication of their pictures erodes the dignity and self esteem of the children. The given manner of the distribution of food is nothing but humiliation, degradation and insult to the children because they were not fortunate enough like other children of their age born in the privileged families. It is needless to say that the right to food is a fundamental right of every citizen and treating it ‘a charity’ is unacceptable.
It is submitted that under Article 21 (Right to life and dignity) of the Constitution of India, it is a matter of right, and not charity, of every citizen of India to have food, shelter and life, with dignity. Further, apart from Article 21 of the Constitution, the Hon’ble Supreme Court has also in number of orders laid down the same. The right to life with dignity is also provided in various international conventions and treaties, including UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989 to which India is a signatory and, thereby, bound do follow the same.
The attention is invited to Article 16 of the UNCRC, which reads as under: -
“Article 16
1.No child shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his or her privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to unlawful attacks on his or her honour and reputation.
2.The child has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.”
It is submitted that most of the politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen in this country very often use to adopt similar practice to get cheap publicity at the cost of child rights. It is, therefore, necessary that NCPCR may issue some guidelines to all the concerned including media and the government so such things are not repeated in future. There is also a need of banning such practice by law.
It is, therefore, requested to look into this matter on urgent basis and to take all necessary steps to protect the child rights. It is suggested that all the organizers of the programme may be asked to give public apology for their omission and commission resulting in violation of the child right to life and dignity.
With regards
Anuj Aggarwal
Advocate
Advisor, Social Jurist
M: 9891403206
To
The Chairperson
National Commission for Protection of Child Rights
5th Floor, Chandralok Building
Janpath, New Delhi-110001
Sub: Complaint regarding undignified manner of the distribution of food to the homeless street children in violation of their right to life with dignity
Respected Madam,
I would like to bring to your kind notice that I have come across a photograph appeared in a leading newspaper, The Hindustan Times, New Delhi dated 20.04.2008 (copy enclosed hereto) which depicts that the food was being distributed by Mr. Yoganand Shastri, Hon’ble Health Minister of Delhi and others amongst the homeless street children in full public view. The following was written below the photograph, “Street children are being fed lunch as part of Aapki Rasoi, conceived by the Delhi Government, an effort to eradicate hunger from the streets of the Capital. Everyday voluntary groups will provide a meal to the poor and homeless across the city. The Hindustan Times has adopted the night shelter at Jhandewalan. Lunch will be distributed for free near this night shelter from 12 pm to 1 pm every day”.
I may submit that my grievance is not at all against the distribution of food amongst the homeless street children but against the very manner in which it is done. The very fact that the food being served to the homeless street children in full public view and the publication of their pictures erodes the dignity and self esteem of the children. The given manner of the distribution of food is nothing but humiliation, degradation and insult to the children because they were not fortunate enough like other children of their age born in the privileged families. It is needless to say that the right to food is a fundamental right of every citizen and treating it ‘a charity’ is unacceptable.
It is submitted that under Article 21 (Right to life and dignity) of the Constitution of India, it is a matter of right, and not charity, of every citizen of India to have food, shelter and life, with dignity. Further, apart from Article 21 of the Constitution, the Hon’ble Supreme Court has also in number of orders laid down the same. The right to life with dignity is also provided in various international conventions and treaties, including UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989 to which India is a signatory and, thereby, bound do follow the same.
The attention is invited to Article 16 of the UNCRC, which reads as under: -
“Article 16
1.No child shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his or her privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to unlawful attacks on his or her honour and reputation.
2.The child has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.”
It is submitted that most of the politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen in this country very often use to adopt similar practice to get cheap publicity at the cost of child rights. It is, therefore, necessary that NCPCR may issue some guidelines to all the concerned including media and the government so such things are not repeated in future. There is also a need of banning such practice by law.
It is, therefore, requested to look into this matter on urgent basis and to take all necessary steps to protect the child rights. It is suggested that all the organizers of the programme may be asked to give public apology for their omission and commission resulting in violation of the child right to life and dignity.
With regards
Anuj Aggarwal
Advocate
Advisor, Social Jurist
M: 9891403206
