OSCPCR issues notices to BJD leaders over schoolchildren's participation in protest

Bhubaneswar/Jharsuguda: The Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) has reportedly issued notices to Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik, former Jharsuguda MLA Dipali Das, and BJD leader Ipsita Sahoo over the alleged participation of schoolchildren in a party protest in Jharsuguda, seeking their formal responses to the matter.

According to reports, the issue relates to a BJD protest held in Jharsuguda on Friday against errors in school textbooks. Several schoolchildren were reportedly seen attending the demonstration in their school uniforms, drawing criticism and raising concerns over the participation of minors in a political event. The presence of students in uniform at a partisan demonstration has prompted questions about whether the children were mobilised for the protest or attended voluntarily, and whether proper safeguards were in place to protect their rights.

Taking note of the incident, the OSCPCR initiated proceedings and sought explanations from the BJD leadership as well as the local party leaders concerned, sources said. The commission's intervention underscores the statutory obligation to protect children from exploitation in political activities, a principle enshrined in both national and state child protection frameworks.

There was no immediate response from Naveen Patnaik, Dipali Das, Ipsita Sahoo, or the BJD on the notices issued by the commission. The absence of an immediate statement from the named individuals leaves open the question of how the party leadership will address the allegations and what corrective measures, if any, will be proposed.

The development comes amid heightened scrutiny of political parties' engagement with minors during public agitations. Child rights advocates have consistently warned against the use of schoolchildren as visual props in demonstrations, arguing that such participation compromises their education, safety, and neutrality. The OSCPCR's decision to issue notices directly to the party president and local representatives signals the seriousness with which the statutory body views the alleged breach.

Further details, including the number of children involved, the specific textbook errors cited by the protesters, and the timeline for the recipients' replies, were not immediately available. The commission is expected to evaluate the responses before determining any further action under its mandate.

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