Karnataka - Gulbarga   

‘Only education can end child labour'

Constitutionally speaking:The First Additional District and Sessions Judge, Srisheshananda, speaking after inaugurating a workshop on the occasion of World Day Against Child Labour in Gulbarga on Saturday.

GULBARGA: The First Additional District and Sessions Judge, V. Srisheshananda, on Saturday said that universalisation of education is the only powerful tool which can eradicate child labour.

Speaking after inaugurating a workshop on the “Awareness of Laws Prohibiting Child Labour and How To Reach Out To the Affected Child Labourer”, organised jointly by the Karnataka Legal Services Authority, the Gulbarga Bar Association, the National Child Labour Abolition Programme and World Vision-India here on Saturday, Mr. Srisheshananda said nobody had the right to deprive children of their fundamental rights.

He said economic deprivation should not be the reason for denial of children's rights. “Reasons such as family poverty do not give parents the right to send children to work. No parent has the right to use his/her children for earning a livelihood when they should be studying in school like others,” he said.

“With the Constitution guaranteeing Right to Education and Life, every child is naturally entitled to a basic education, which should be given at any cost. Denial of such rights is tantamount to criminal offence and is punishable by law. The Government has introduced several measures to help poverty-stricken families improve their economic conditions. These programmes should be properly used instead of forcing children to work,” the judge said.

Mr. Srisheshananda said it was also important that the Government provide a proper environment for children to discover their potential. Government agencies should ensure that every child is enrolled in school. “Educational empowerment of children will end child labour. I am totally opposed to the employment of children in any work, whether hazardous or otherwise,” he said.

Quoting Swami Vivekananda's celebrated statement that every soul was divine, the judge said every child had the potential for excellence and should be given the opportunity to achieve it.

The First Principal Civil Judge (Senior Division), M.K. Pattan, released a special poster brought out on the occasion. Assistant Director of Information Chandrakant was present.

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