Explore More Ways To Advertise Child Helpline For Better Awareness: Karnataka High Court To State

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday suggested to the state government to explore more ways to advertise the child helpline for a better and effective awareness.

A division bench of Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Justice Ashok S Kinagi on going through the compliance report dated January 6, 2022 filed by the government said the display of childlines at metro stations and trains, and distribution of posts at important functions was welcome but more modes can be explored.

"In our opinion, apart from pasting posters on public transport vehicles/ autorickshaws if the posters are pasted at the frequently visited public places, such as city bus stations, city bus stops, it may help to achieve the object of awareness. Similarly, as digital scroll displayed in metro trains, similar mode of rolling of digital scrolls can be explored through the regional channel of Doordarshan as well as state government can issue circular to the private channel operators or cable operators as the case may be, to display these digital rolling scrolls periodically and may seek compliance report to monitor that direction of state government is scrupulously followed."

Stating that 13 stakeholders had attended a meeting held in the High Court conference hall pursuant to an order dated February 18, 2021 wherein the issue of vulnerable children was discussed and suggestions/responses were invited, the court said a fresh meeting needs to be called for further discussions.

"It seems that in the recent past no further meeting is conducted. In our opinion a fresh meeting of all the stakeholders would certainly help to seek response and suggestion and to give a proper positive momentum to the issue in the present PIL. As such we request all stakeholders and members of Karnataka State Legal Services Authority (KSLSA) to conduct another meeting. If it is convenient to all stakeholders the meeting should be held on November 15, at 5.30 pm in the conference hall of the high court building."

The direction was given during the hearing of a petition filed by Letzkit Foundation highlighting the issue of vulnerable children who are forced to sell toys, flowers etc on streets of Bengaluru.

Earlier the court had observed, "This is a serious issue as children who are forced to undertake such activities are deprived of right under article 21-A. Moreover, if circumstances are forcing them to do this act, it may be violation of Article 21 as well."

Case Title: LETZKIT FOUNDATION And STATE OF KARNATAKA