August 11,2024
Raipur: The Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh high court, Ramesh Sinha, 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.
He was addressing the 9th Round of the State Level Stakeholders’ Consultation on the Protection of Children with Disabilities, organized by The High Court Juvenile Justice Committee in collaboration with Chhattisgarh State Judicial Academy and Chhattisgarh State Legal Services Authority on Saturday.
In his inaugural address, the Chief Justice highlighted the challenges faced by children with disabilities in accessing education, healthcare, and societal integration.
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, “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. The Chief Justice quoted the words of 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.”
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 the termination of pregnancy caused due to rape.
Furthermore, an informative flip chart was also released during the event, 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 distributed amongst all the stakeholders, participants, and representatives from concerned departments to ensure proper implementation of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act at the grassroots level.
Justice Goutam Bhaduri, who is the Chairman of the High Court Committee in Juvenile Justice, and Justice Sanjay K. Agrawal also addressed the event. The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Justice Deepak Kumar Tiwari.
Additionally, today’s event provided an excellent platform to showcase the artistic talents of children with disabilities. Their artwork, including painted canvases, jute bags, and various crafts, was displayed in the High Court gallery. This exhibition served as a significant source of promotion, inspiration, and encouragement for these young artists. Hon’ble The Chief Justice personally interacted with and encouraged these young artists.
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.
The first technical session, delving upon the well-being of children with disabilities in Child Care Institutions, was chaired by Justice Goutam Bhaduri, with Justice Deepak Kumar Tiwari and Justice Rakesh Mohan Pandey serving as co-chairs.
The second technical session was chaired by Justice Sanjay Agrawal and co-chaired by Justice Rajani Dubey. During this session, presentations were made by representatives from UNICEF, the Department of Police, the Department of School Education, the Principal Magistrate of the Juvenile Justice Board, and Chhattisgarh State Legal Services Authority. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by CSJA Director Sirajuddin Qureshi.
Source: Healthworld