Children With Disabilities Should Not Be Treated With Embarrassment Or Stigma: Jharkhand High Court Acting CJ Sujit Narayan Prasad

Jharkhand High Court's Acting Chief Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad on Saturday called for a shift in societal perceptions, urging that children with disabilities should not be treated with any sense of embarrassment or as being differently-abled. He stressed upon the importance of providing them with opportunities and protecting their rights, ensuring their full participation in society without any stigma.Speaking as the Chief Guest at the Jharkhand State Level Stakeholders' Consultation on the Protection of Children with Disabilities, held on August 17, the Judge said,"It is interpreted an Encyclopedia that how the disabled persons acknowledged under the statutory command to be a disabled person in the society how they be given the opportunity, how their rights would be protected and how they be given full participation in the society without the feeling of any rigour, embarrassment that they are being treated as a differently-abled persons."The event was organised by High Court's Juvenile Justice-cum-POCSO Committee, in association with the State's Department of Women & Child Development, UNICEF and Jharkhand Judicial Academy. It aimed to foster an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by children with disabilities (CwD) and to explore ways to ensure their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.In his address, the Acting Chief Justice highlighted the statutory obligations towards disabled persons, emphasising the need for societal change in attitudes and mindsets. He pointed out that these children, who have long-term physical, mental, and sensory impairments, often face significant barriers that hinder their participation in society.The ACJ emphasised the sacred responsibility of protecting the rights of children with disabilities, especially those within the Juvenile Justice (JJ) system. he underscored the need for unwavering dedication to this cause, describing their protection as a "sacred trust."The seminar, he explained, was organised to assess whether the objectives of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and statutory provisions have been met, and to identify challenges that remain in ensuring that children with disabilities are treated with dignity and given equal opportunities. ACJ said the seminar was an essential step in evaluating the progress made so far and in determining the path forward to achieve greater inclusion and protection for children with disabilities.The key objectives of the consultation were to enhance understanding of the situation of Children with Disabilities (CwD) and their rights, entitlements, and accessible services under the RPWD Act 2016, JJ Act, and POCSO Act and to share progress, identify gaps, and discuss solutions to strengthen the protection of vulnerable children, including those in need of care and protection, children in conflict with the law, and victims of sexual violence. Additionally, the consultation provides a platform for stakeholders to review and share progress in improving services for children under the JJ Act and POCSO Act, building on the outcomes of previous state consultations. Guests and Participants of the ProgrammeThe consultation was graced by the esteemed presence of the Chief Guest, Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad, the Acting Chief Justice and Chairperson JJ cum POCSO Committee, High Court of Jharkhand, Justice Rongon Mukhopadhyay, Justice Anil Kumar Choudhary, Justice Anubha Rawat Choudhary, other Judges of High Court of Jharkhand.The event also witnessed the presence of Mr. L. Khiangte, Chief Secretary, GoJ, Mr. Manoj Kumar, Secretary, DWCD&SS; Ms. Parul Sharma, UNICEF; Divisional Commissioners, Officers from Department of Health, Education and district functionaries. Inaugural SessionThe Consultation was attended by over 400 participants, including DLSA Secretaries, Principal Magistrates, JJB, Special Juvenile Police Units, Civil Surgeons, District Social Welfare Officers, District Child Protection Officers, Chairpersons, Child Welfare Committee, Members, Juvenile Justice Board, Officers in charge of Mahila Thana, Legal –cum-Probation Officers, State Program Managers, JSLPS, C.I.P. and RINPAS, Superintendent, Observation Home, NGOs working for disabled children, members of UNICEF.Law students of NUSRL and Chhotanagpur Law College, Ranchi were present as volunteers.The Consultation was organised under the aegis of Juvenile Justice Committee, Supreme Court of India. It commenced with a welcome song by Children with Special Needs.Mr. Manoj Kumar, Secretary, DWCD&SS gave a welcome address and emphasised on the status of children with disability within JJ system, convergence with education and health and shared Department's commitment for improving specialised services and capacities of DWCD&SS. Ms. Parul Sharma, UNICEF, Jharkhand talked about UNICEF's Disability Inclusion Strategy and Policy 2022-2030 and commitment to support the government on inclusive development.Mr. L...

Children With Disabilities Should Not Be Treated With Embarrassment Or Stigma: Jharkhand High Court Acting CJ Sujit Narayan Prasad

Bhavya Singh

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