The union minister for women’s and child development, Smriti Irani, urged people on Tuesday to notify the police Children who lost both parents to Covid-19 and have no one to look after them.
The minister appealed to the people, saying it was a legal responsibility and the people should help the government prevent illegal adoption.
In a series of tweets, Smriti Irani said that illegal adoption can harm the child’s well-being and also lead to child trafficking.
“If you learn of a child who lost both parents to Covid-19 and has no one to look after them, notify the police or your district’s child welfare committee, or contact Childline 1098. It is your legal responsibility , “Smriti Irani tweeted.
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In another tweet, she said it was “illegal to give or take orphans from other adopted children”. “Such children should be put on a child welfare committee that takes the necessary action in the best interests of the child.”
It is illegal to adopt or take orphans from others. Such children should be put on the Child Welfare Committee, which will take the necessary action in the best interests of the child.
– Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) May 4, 2021
Illegal adoption can lead to human trafficking: Smriti Irani
She warned couples and families trying to adopt a child and said if someone approaches them saying that orphans are available for direct adoption, “don’t fall into the trap and stop them”.
“It’s illegal. Inform the local child welfare committee or the police or Childline 1098 about such children. We all have to ensure legal adoption, otherwise children can be traded on behalf of adoption. Save them,” she appealed.
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Apart from that, the minister urged people not to share photos and contact details of vulnerable children in emergency situations on social media. She said the identity of such children should be protected under the law.
We all need to ensure legal adoption, otherwise children can be traded in the name of adoption. Save her. If you learn of such a child, notify the police or the Child Welfare Committee or Childline 1098.
– Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) May 4, 2021
Smriti Irani’s public appeal comes at a time when several cases have emerged of the child’s parents dying of Covid-19. In the midst of the pandemic, ensuring the well-being and protection of such vulnerable children has presented law enforcement agencies with a new challenge.
The national child rights authority is also appealing
On Monday the National Commission for the Protection of Children’s Rights (NCPCR) wrote to states and union territoriesand urged them to notify child protection authorities about children who have lost both parents to Covid-19.
“The commission has been made aware of cases where it has been found that many NGOs are promoting the children who are orphaned after losing both parents to Covid-19,” NCPCR chairman Priyank Kanoongo said in the Letter addressed to the General Secretaries.
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“In such a sad situation of spike in Covid-19 cases in the country, there are situations where the child has lost both parents or is found abandoned. It can be noted that the juvenile justice (care and protection of children) that 2015 law provides for the procedure to be followed for children who have lost their family support and have become a child in need of care and protection, “it said.
The JJ Act 2015 process ensures that children receive all minimum standards of care and that their rights are safeguarded and protected, Kanoongo said.
“Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that these children who have lost their family support are produced in front of the district child protection authorities and that information about these children be shared with the authorities,” he wrote.
(With entries from PTI)
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