The Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), a renowned NGO dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating child labourers, has alleged that its members were attacked by a mob while conducting a raid in industrial areas of Delhi. The NGO, along with government officials and partner organizations, was attempting to rescue children from illegal factories when the attack took place.
The incident occurred on Thursday, prompting the Delhi High Court to seek responses from both the city government and police. According to the BBA, the rescue team was brutally attacked, resulting in injuries to several members. The NGO further claims that all but one of the rescued children were snatched by the mob, allegedly at the behest of traffickers.
Child labour is a severe problem in India, with millions of children working in hazardous conditions in various industries. The BBA has been at the forefront of the fight against child labour and has conducted several successful raids in the past, rescuing hundreds of children from exploitation. However, such operations often face resistance from the owners of the factories and their accomplices.
The latest incident has once again highlighted the dangers faced by those involved in rescuing child labourers. The BBA claims that the attackers were hired by the owners of the factories to prevent the rescue operation. The NGO has demanded swift action against the culprits and urged the government to take strict measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the city government and police seeking their responses to the allegations made by the BBA. The court has also directed the government to provide adequate protection to the rescued children and ensure that they are safely rehabilitated.
The incident has sparked outrage among various human rights organizations and activists, who have condemned the attack and demanded justice for the victims. They have called for stringent action against those responsible for the attack and urged the government to take effective measures to eradicate child labour from the country.
The BBA has been working towards the abolition of child labour for over three decades and has rescued more than 90,000 children from exploitation during this time. The NGO runs several rehabilitation centers for rescued children, providing them with education, healthcare, and vocational training.
However, despite the efforts of organizations like the BBA, child labour continues to be a significant problem in India. The government has enacted several laws and regulations to curb the practice, but their implementation has been inadequate, and many employers continue to flout them.
The recent attack on the BBA team has once again highlighted the urgent need for effective measures to be taken to protect those working towards the eradication of child labour. The government must take strict action against those responsible for the attack and ensure the safety and rehabilitation of rescued children. Only then can we hope to create a society where every child is free to pursue their dreams without fear of exploitation or abuse.