Child rights activist body Tamil Nadu Child Rights Watch (TNCRW) has urged the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) to take action against Higher Education Minister P. Viswanathan for touching the legs of girl athletes at a school programme in Madurai.

In a letter to the commission, the TNCRW requested that it take suo moto cognisance of the case, and called for a report from the State government regarding the incident.

At an event recently held at the Government School in Melur, the Minister had approached a group of girl athletes, and proceeded to touch their outstretched legs and crack their toes while conversing with them.

Stating that the matter concerns the fundamental obligation of the State and all public authorities to protect children, TNCRW convener Jesu Rathinam said, “Every allegation involving the physical boundaries of children deserve prompt, transparent, and independent scrutiny so that public confidence in child protection mechanisms is maintained.”

Appropriate protocols

It also urged NCPCR to recommend appropriate protocols for all government departments, educational institutions, and organisers of public events involving children to ensure that interactions by public officials strictly respect children’s bodily autonomy, consent, dignity, and child protection norms.

TNCRW co-convenor A. Devaneyan said the commission should also direct the Tamil Nadu Director-General of Police to ensure that the matter is examined, and if facts disclose a cognisable offence, an FIR should be registered and an impartial investigation conducted in accordance with the provisions of the POCSO Act and other applicable laws.

School incidents

Additionally, the child rights body has written to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay regarding the programmes organised at a few government schools to celebrate Mr. Vijay’s birthday.

“The events held in schools were neither educationally appropriate nor consistent with the purpose of schools,” co-convenor Stegana Jency said.

TNCRW urged the Chief Minister to direct the School Education Department to inquire into the incidents and take appropriate action in cases where educational institutions were been used for activities inconsistent with established educational norms.

“Initiate appropriate disciplinary action against any individuals, including political functionaries or school authorities, who may have encouraged such activities that compromise the neutrality of educational institutions,” the letter added.

It also urged the department to issue comprehensive guidelines prohibiting the use of schools for political publicity, personality-centred celebrations, partisan campaigns, or any such activities.

“The department must also establish a mechanism for reporting and addressing instances where external individuals or organisations attempt to use educational institutions for purposes unrelated to children’s education,” Mr. Devaneyan added.