Srinagar, Oct 09 (KNS): Nobel peace laureate Kailash Satyarthi who launched his Bharat Yatra- a campaign for child rights, today here at SKICC along with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said “past is past” when he was asked to clear his stand “over the use of pellet guns by forces in 2016 uprising, slapping of PSA on juveniles”.
He evaded the question about AFSPA in valley and the use of pellet guns that blinded hundreds in Kashmir during the 2016 uprising saying… “Past is the past. I have now come here to fight for child rights and will knock at every door for the children of Kashmir. They are like my own children,” he, according to KNS correspondent said.
He said he was not a politician to give statement on these issues. “But I am against every form of violence. The children should not resort to in any form of violence,” he said.
He said the children should not be used for the violence. “Children should not get involved in politics. They need love and compassion to fulfill their dreams.”
Satyarthi said the he would likely to meet pellet victims of the valley. “I want to meet them. They all are like my children and I want to know more about them.”
He said, “Children are not safe in schools and homes. If one child is not secure, then entire world is not secure,” he said as per the KNS correspondent.
Stating that nearly nine lakh people have taken the pledge to fight child abuse, he said their target was 10 lakh but they have reached a target of 12 lakh. “One crore people have taken the pledge online,” he said.
He said that UNICEF released a report 10 years ago which says that 53 percent children face sexual abuse in one form or the other. “It has now become a moral epidemic.”
He said that law against children trafficking should be set up in India. “Every hour eight children are being stole in India.”
Chairperson State Women’s Commission Nayeema Mehjoor that everyone should fight for the child rights.
“Action is not being taken against persons involved in child violence. We have to raise the voices and unveil such people,” she said. (KNS)