Chhattisgarh HC CJ Ramesh Sinha Calls For Unified Efforts For Enhancing Rights, Dignity Of Disabled Children, Cites Constitutional Guarantees

The 9th Round of the State Level Stakeholders' Consultation on the Protection of Children with Disabilities was successfully organized by the High Court Juvenile Justice Committee on August 10, 2024, in collaboration with the Chhattisgarh State Judicial Academy and the Chhattisgarh State Legal Services Authority.

The Inaugural session commenced with Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha ceremonially lighting the lamp. In his inaugural address, he also highlighted the challenges faced by children with disabilities in accessing education, healthcare, and societal integration.

In his address, he emphasized the need for concerted efforts in legislative enforcement, inclusive education practices, healthcare improvements, and societal sensitization to ensure a more equitable future for all children.

The Chief Justice also stressed the significance of social safeguards for child victims in the form of Victim Compensation Schemes.

Citing Mahatma Gandhi's quote that, “The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members,” the Chief Justice called for collaboration among stakeholders and inter-departmental cooperation to enhance policy effectiveness, securing a dignified life for every child with disabilities as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution."

In this regard, the Chief Justice quoted Justice P.N. Bhagwati: “The human rights of persons with disabilities are as sacred and inviolable as those of any other person. The Constitution of India guarantees this in no uncertain terms.”

In his address, the Chief Justice also deliberated upon the need for sensitization and awareness among various stakeholders and common people regarding the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act to ensure that rape victims receive quick and necessary assistance for termination of pregnancy caused due to rape.

Furthermore, during the event, an informative flip chart was also released, documenting the roles of each stakeholder to create awareness and support for the medical termination of pregnancy of rape victims, including minors and mentally disabled pregnant rape victims.

The flip chart was also distributed to all the stakeholders, participants, and representatives from concerned departments to ensure the proper implementation of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act at the grassroots level.

At the event, Justice Goutam Bhaduri, Chairman of the High Court Committee on Juvenile Justice, delivered a special address. Justice Sanjay K. Agrawal delivered the key-note Address. Welcome & Introductory Address was delivered by Justice Sanjay Agrawal.

The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Justice Deepak Kumar Tiwari.

The Inaugural Session was followed by two technical sessions that deliberated upon issues to address the availability of services for the well-being of disabled children in Special Homes and Child Care Institutions and the provision of judicial process information to children in conflict with the law and child victims.

Justice Bhaduri chaired the first technical session on the well-being of Children with Disabilities in Childcare Institutions, which was co-chaired by Justice Deepak Kumar Tiwari and Justice Rakesh Mohan Pandey. The Additional Chief Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department, the Director of the Women and Child Development Department, and the Director of the Social Welfare Department also co-chaired the session.

Following the presentations and an open house discussion, concluding remarks were delivered by Justice Rakesh Mohan Pandey.

Justice Sanjay Agrawal chaired the second technical session, which was co-chaired by key dignitaries, including the Principal Secretary of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, the Secretary of the School Education Department, and the Inspector General of Police, Bilaspur.

Representatives from UNICEF, the Department of Police, the Department of School Education, the Principal Magistrate of the Juvenile Justice Board, and the Chhattisgarh State Legal Services Authority made presentations during this session.

Justice Dubey delivered remarks at the end of the session, and Mr Sirajuddin Qureshi, Director of CSJA, proposed a vote of thanks.

The consultation provided a platform for insightful discussions and strategic planning to enhance the welfare and rights of children with disabilities across Chhattisgarh.

The event was graced by the presence of Hon'ble Judges of the High Court and was attended by officials from UNICEF, Registrar General and Officers from the High Court Registry, Director and Officers from CSJA, Member Secretary and Officers from CGSLSA, Principal District Judges, Add. Chief Secretary of Public Health and Family Welfare, Inspector General of Police, Principal Secretary of Panchayat and Rural Development, Secretary from Department of School Education, Director from Department of Women and Child Welfare, Director from Department of Social Justice Secretaries from DLSA, Principal Magistrates and Members of Juvenile Justice Boards, District Programme Officers, Chairpersons and Members of Child Welfare Committees, Child Protection Officers, Officers from various State Government Departments, and law students