“We must Ensure a Dignified Life and Protective Environment for Children with Disabilities” Hon’ble the Chief Justice Mr. Ramesh Sinha

Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, August 10, 2024 – The 9th Round of the State

Level Stakeholders' Consultation on the Protection of Children with

Disabilities was successfully organized by The High Court Juvenile

Justice Committee in collaboration with Chhattisgarh State Judicial

Academy and Chhattisgarh State Legal Services Authority on August 10,

2024, at the Auditorium of the High Court of Chhattisgarh.

The Inaugural session commenced with the ceremonial

lighting of the lamp by the Esteemed Chief Guest, Hon'ble Mr. Justice

Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice, High Court of Chhattisgarh. In his

Inaugural address, Hon'ble The Chief Justice highlighted the challenges

faced by children with disabilities in accessing education, healthcare,

and societal integration. He emphasized the need for concerted efforts in

legislative enforcement, inclusive education practices, healthcare

improvements, and societal sensitization to ensure a more equitable

future for all children. Hon'ble The Chief Justice also stressed the

significance of social safeguards for child victims in the form of Victim

Compensation Schemes. Citing Mahatma Gandhi’s quote that, “The

true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most

vulnerable members,” Hon'ble the Chief Justice called for collaboration

among stakeholders and inter-departmental cooperation to enhance

policy effectiveness, securing a dignified life for every child with

disabilities as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Indian

Constitution. Hon'ble The Chief Justice quoted words of Justice P.N.

Bhagwati, “The human rights of persons with disabilities are as

sacred and inviolable as those of any other person. The

Constitution of India guarantees this in no uncertain terms.”

In his address, Hon’ble The Chief Justice also deliberated upon

need for sensitization and awareness among various stakeholders and

common people regarding Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act to ensure that rape victims receive quick and necessary assistance for

termination of pregnancy caused due to rape.

Furthermore, an informative flip chart was also released during

the event, documenting the roles of each stakeholder to create

awareness and support for medical termination of pregnancy of rape

victims, including minors and mentally disabled pregnant rape victims.

The flip chart was distributed amongst all the stakeholders, participants,

and representatives from concerned departments to ensure proper

implementation of Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act at grassroot

level.

In the event Special Address was delivered by Hon'ble Mr.

Justice Goutam Bhaduri, Chairman of the High Court Committee on

Juvenile Justice, key-note Address was delivered by Hon'ble Mr. Justice

Sanjay K. Agrawal, Welcome & Introductory Address was delivered by

Hon'ble Mr. Justice Sanjay Agrawal. The inaugural session concluded

with vote of thanks proposed by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Deepak Kumar

Tiwari.

Additionally, today's event provided an excellent platform to

showcase the artistic talents of children with disabilities. Their artwork,

including painted canvases, jute bags, and various crafts, was displayed

in the High Court gallery. This exhibition served as a significant source

of promotion, inspiration, and encouragement for these young artists.

Hon’ble The Chief Justice personally interacted and encouraged

these young artists.

The Inaugural Session was followed by two technical sessions

that deliberated upon issues to address the availability of services for the

well-being of disabled children in Special Homes and Child Care

Institutions and the provision of judicial process information to children in

conflict with the law and child victims.

The first technical session delving upon well-being of Children

with Disabilities in Child Care Institutions was chaired by Hon’ble Mr.

Justice Goutam Bhaduri, with Hon’ble Mr. Justice Deepak Kumar Tiwari

and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Rakesh Mohan Pandey serving as co-chairs.

The session was co-chaired along with the Additional Chief Secretary,

Health and Family Welfare Department, Director, Women and Child Development Department, and Director, Social Welfare Department.

Presentations were made by representatives from the Women and Child

Development Department, Social Welfare Department, Health

Department, and the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.

Following the presentations and an open house discussion, concluding

remarks were delivered by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Rakesh Mohan Pandey.

The second technical session was chaired by Hon’ble Mr.

Justice Sanjay Agrawal and co-chaired by Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Rajani

Dubey. The session was also co-chaired by key dignitaries, including the

Principal Secretary, Panchayat and Rural Development Department,

Secretary, School Education Department, and Inspector General of

Police, Bilaspur. During this session, presentations were made by

representatives from UNICEF, Department of Police, Department of

School Education, Principal Magistrate of the Juvenile Justice Board,

and Chhattisgarh State Legal Services Authority. The session concluded

with remarks from Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Rajani Dubey.

The Event concluded with Vote of Thanks proposed by Mr.

Sirajuddin Qureshi, Director, CSJA.

The consultation provided a platform for insightful discussions

and strategic planning to enhance the welfare and rights of children with

disabilities across Chhattisgarh. The event was graced by the presence

of Hon’ble Judges of the High Court and was attended by officials from

UNICEF, Registrar General and Officers from the High Court Registry,

Director and Officers from CSJA, Member Secretary and Officers from

CGSLSA, Principal District Judges, Add. Chief Secretary of Public

Health and Family Welfare, Inspector General of Police, Principal

Secretary of Panchayat and Rural Development, Secretary from

Department of School Education, Director from Department of Women

and Child Welfare, Director from Department of Social Justice

Secretaries from DLSA, Principal Magistrates and Members of Juvenile

Justice Boards, District Programme Officers, Chairpersons and

Members of Child Welfare Committees, Child Protection Officers,

Officers from various State Government Departments, and law students.