Do not punish children if they come wearing mehendi, rakhi or tilak on Rakshabandhan! NCPCR advised all states

Rakhi 2024: Rakshabandhan, the festival of the unbreakable bond between brother and sister, will be celebrated on 19 August 2024 this year. Regarding this, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) issued a directive to the education departments of all states and union territories, stating that children should not be punished if they come to school wearing mehndi, rakhi, tilak during festivals. NCPCR urged to stop discrimination and punishment against children during the upcoming festival season.

NCPCR chief mentioned many incidents

In a letter dated August 8, 2024, NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanungo expressed concern over reports of harassment and discrimination against children by school teachers and staff during festivals. In the letter, he mentioned several incidents where children went to school wearing Rakhi, Tilak or Mehndi and were subjected to physical and mental harassment there.

The NCPCR chairman said that if such punishments are given in schools, it would be a violation of Section 17 of the Right to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. The letter said, “As the festive season is approaching, it is important that schools do not engage in such practices in which children are subjected to corporal punishment or discrimination.

NCPCR gave instructions

NCPCR requested that all states and union territories issue immediate instructions to the concerned authorities to ensure compliance with these guidelines. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has asked to submit the compliance report along with a copy of the order issued in this regard by August 17, 2024.

The NCPCR, a statutory body established under the Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005, ensures the protection of children’s rights across the country.

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