Now Reading: NHRC notice to MP govt over children crossing dam pillars
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NHRC notice to MP govt over children crossing dam pillars
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Madhya Pradesh government after reports that children in Vidisha district are hopping across check dam pillars on the Betwa River…
The Story in Brief
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Madhya Pradesh government after reports that children in Vidisha district are hopping across check dam pillars on the Betwa River to reach school. The NHRC said it took suo motu cognisance of a media report and a viral video showing the dangerous crossing, which cuts the journey from 13 km by road to just 1.5 km. The Commission noted that the lack of safe transport negates the fundamental right to education under Article 21A and the Right to Education Act. It has sought a detailed report from the chief secretary within two weeks.
The NHRC cited a Supreme Court ruling that the right to education includes safe infrastructure. Villagers reportedly said they cannot drop children due to work in fields, leaving them with no safe option. A student is said to have failed exams after missing school because she was too short to cross the pillars. The district education officer has visited the spot, but no timeline has been given for a safe passage.
The Indian Opinion
The NHRC's notice focuses attention on the state's duty to provide safe school access, but the story also reveals a hard choice for working parents. Some narratives will blame only the government while ignoring the villagers' economic constraints that force this risk. The real test is whether the MP government's two-week report includes a timeline and budget for a bridge, or just another promise.
Sources (2): hindustantimes.com, indiatoday.in
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
