Television footage of 10-year-old Moin a few days ago, who was battered to death by his employer, was disturbing and depressing to say the least. What made the story more shocking was the fact that the culprit who snuffed out an innocent young life, happened to be the victim’s uncle. This unsavoury episode of human misery has brought into sharp focus, once again, the sordid saga of young kids, not even at the threshold of adolescence, being made to labour relentlessly at cramped sweatshops all over the country for a pittance. Made to work for 15 hours a day, most of these exploited children receive just two modest meals a day and a cramped little corner to sleep, as compensation.
Children continue to be abused and exploited in our country despite legislation, which lacks teeth and remains enshrined in our statute books. Forced child labour is but one instance of the misery these little ones are subjected to. What about child prostitution? India has become a safe haven for paedophiles from all over the world who flock here to prey upon minors to satiate their deviant sexual urges. The arrest, trial and conviction of two Britons, Duncan Grant and Alan Waters for sexually abusing boys at an orphanage in Mumbai, is merely the tip of the iceberg. With lax laws and corrupt officials most such offenders go scot free.
The girl child has her own sorrows in apna Bharat mahan. She has things going against her right from the time she is conceived in her mother’s womb. The moment her gender is detected prenatally, thanks to unscrupulous medical practitioners, her very life is often in danger. Female foeticide has already tilted the gender balance in favour of males in most states of India according to the latest figures made public.
While laws exist that prohibit prenatal sex-determination tests, law enforcement agencies are unable to detect and bring to book culprits who break the law. An overarching patriarchy that prefers a male offspring, coupled with the scourge of prospect of having to raise a dowry for daughters that poor families have to contend with have made the girl child an unwanted commodity in the family economy.
This bias extends to all the rights and privileges that any girl child should otherwise be entitled to, be it education or nutrition. They are forced to sacrifice both in favour of their male siblings. Is this the kind of India we hope to build in the future? We pride ourselves on being a predominantly young country. Do we care enough about our precious human capital? Do we care enough about the future of our country? Yes, corruption is an issue – a big issue. But, how about starting a revolution to protect our children and fighting for their rights? Are there no takers?
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