Rights of Children in India

Rights-The reason of all the revolutions the world has witnessed so far. But what are Rights? The fact that I am writing this, and that you will ponder upon the same, is our Right to freedom of Thought and Expression. Rights therefore, are indispensable and inalienable by nature. Rights are not privileges. They are something that every individual is born with, and cannot be hampered or infringed upon by another, as long as they are exercised in social harmony.

However, despite the inalienability of Rights, the weaker sections (Women, Children, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes) of society remain disadvantaged, and deprived of their basic rights, due to Inequality, prevalence of social evils, and Unawareness.

This article intends to throw some light on the Rights of Children in India, and the lack of awareness regarding the same that prevails in our society, the adverse impact that it creates on the life of children, and the legal – remedial measures that exist.

Who Is A Child?

The United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child, 1989 defines Child as any human being below the age of eighteen years, unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier.

The above definition brings into picture a number of factors that make children one of the most vulnerable sections of our society.

A child is in a continuous phase of growth and development, and hence remains dependent on another for even the basic needs of livelihood such as food, clothing, shelter, education, and so much more. This constant requirement of help, support, and protection, the lack of availability of the same, puts a child to many chronic risks, leaving their whole existence at stake. There is an alarming need of educating the masses about Child Rights, and creating awareness about how fundamental they are for the overall development of a child.

The Menace of Child Labour

Article 24 of Indian Constitution strictly prohibits the practice of any form of Child Labour. It states: No child below the age of fourteen years shall be employed, to work in any factory or mine or engaged in any hazardous employment. However,  even in the light of pursuance of legal statues such as The Factories Act 1948, The Mines Act of 1952, The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986 and the following amendments, Child labour is been widely prevalent in India.

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