A notice has been issued to Congress President Rahul Gandhi by the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSPCR) for sharing a video of Dalit boys being stripped and assaulted in Wakadi village in Jalgaon, Maharas.
Recently, a video of three Dalit boys being stripped, assaulted and paraded in the streets had gone viral. The incident took place in Wakadi on June 10 when the boys took a dip in a well, which local members of the upper caste did not approve of.
On June 15, Rahul Gandhi uploaded the video on his Twitter handle. In his tweet, also raised a concern regarding the “toxic politics” of BJP and RSS.
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“quot;
RSS/BJPpic.twitter.com/STeBSkI1q1
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 15, 2018
Chirabazar resident Amol Jadhav raised an objection to the video, as it revealed the identity of the minors. Jadhav filed a complaint following which, the Commission issued the notice and gave Gandhi 10 days to respond, The Indian Express reported.
Reportedly, the Commission asserted that no report, inquiry or judicial investigation should reveal the identity or address of a minor under section 74 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act, 2015. Additionally, under Section 23 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, the identity of a minor victim cannot be revealed.
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Chairperson of the Commission Pravin Gughe said, “He uploaded a video that infringed on the right to privacy of children. The video went viral,” The Indian Express reported.
In connection to the assault, the Jalgaon police have registered a case under several sections of the POSCO ACT. Two villagers, including the owner of the well, have also been arrested. The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) is now counselling the minors and giving them “psycho-social support”.
