Awareness among parents must: District Judge Sangreshi

Mysore/Mysuru: G.S. Sangreshi, Principal District and Sessions Court Judge and Chairman of District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Mysuru, has said that there is a need to create awareness among parents who are spoiling the career of their children by pushing them to work, instead of educating them.

Judge Sangreshi was speaking during the inauguration of World Day Against Child Labour event organised under the auspices of District Administration, DLSA and Department of Labour at Kalamandira on Hunsur Road in city yesterday.

“The Day Against Child Labour is being observed for the past 21 years with the only intention of eradicating child labour. The employment of children below the age group of 14 years as domestic help, at agriculture, hotel, factory and other harmful works is against the ethos of Constitution. Hence an Act was introduced in the year 1983 to track such children and impart education to them compulsorily.  There is a need to create awareness among common people in this regard,” observed Sangreshi.

Besides, concerted efforts should be made to fight against child labour or else children will become victims of exploitation. Anti-Child Labour Day is observed every year, but what assumes significance is the number of child labourers rescued. The Covid-19 pandemic shook all the sectors rendering many children orphan. Child labour still remains to be addressed at some areas, which needs the cooperation of all in its eradication. The social justice must be ensured for all and the society should be awakened in this regard, suggested Judge Sangreshi.

Writer K. Bannur Raju said, “Earlier child labour was practiced due to poverty and hunger in the society. Now, the Government is providing free education to children, so the parents should not force their wards to work. The rise in child labour can also be attributed to the irresponsible behaviour of their parents.”

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dr. K.V. Rajendra, who sought the co-operation of all in making the district free from child labour, said: “Still there are rampant complaints of child labour in practice at hotel industry, besides road side eateries. Parents should have a firm mind in educating their children.”

Earlier, the children of various schools took out an awareness rally against child labour, from Oval Grounds near the DC’s Office to Kalamandira.

DLSA Member-Secretary B.G. Dinesh, Zilla Panchayat (ZP) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) K.M. Gayathri,  ACP (CCB) Sandesh Kumar, Assistant Labour Commissioner Nazia Sultana, Hotel Owners Association President C. Narayanagowda, Hemalatha of Mahila Okkoota, Saraswati from Rural Literacy and Health Programme (RLHP) and several others were present.