Representation of Chhattisgarh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights at the Supreme Court: Sonal Kumar Gupta’s Special Achievement
Raipur>> Recently, a two-day workshop held at the Administrative Building Complex of the Supreme Court, New Delhi, provided a vital platform for discussing child rights protection. The workshop aimed at national stakeholder consultations on protecting the rights of children living with disabilities. Organized in collaboration with UNICEF, the event was inaugurated by the Chief Justice of India (CJI), Mr. D.Y. Chandrachud.
Sonal Kumar Gupta, a member of the Chhattisgarh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, represented the state at this significant event. This marked a special achievement in his career, as he had the rare opportunity to meet directly with the Chief Justice and engage in discussions on the crucial issue of protecting child rights, especially for disabled children. Gupta expressed the state’s commitment to safeguarding child rights and promoting the welfare of children with disabilities.
Focus of the Workshop: Protecting the Rights of Disabled Children
The central theme of the workshop was the protection of the rights of children with disabilities and their inclusive development. Key participants included UNICEF’s Country Head Cynthia McCaffrey, the Chairperson of the Supreme Court’s Juvenile Justice Committee, Justice B.V. Nagarathna, and the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Annapurna Devi, alongside several senior judicial and government officials.
In his keynote address, Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud emphasized society’s responsibility towards children with disabilities and the need for legal and social reforms to support their education, health, and overall development. The event highlighted the importance of protecting child rights and the collective responsibility of society to foster the inclusive growth of disabled children.
Sonal Kumar Gupta’s Contribution and Participation
Representing the Chhattisgarh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Sonal Kumar Gupta highlighted the efforts being made at the state level to protect the rights of children, particularly those with disabilities. He stressed the importance of inclusive education and social integration for disabled children and shared the various steps taken by the state to safeguard their rights.
Gupta noted that policy-level changes are essential to eliminate the discrimination faced by disabled children. He shared insights into the collaborative programs between the state government and various organizations aimed at improving the lives of disabled children in Chhattisgarh. He emphasized that children with disabilities should receive equal rights and opportunities to integrate into mainstream society and reach their full potential.
Dialogue with the CJI: A Moment of Pride
For Sonal Kumar Gupta, the opportunity to interact with Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud was particularly meaningful. “Meeting CJI sir has been one of the greatest achievements of my life. This experience has been incredibly inspiring and has motivated me to work even harder in the field of child rights protection,” Gupta stated.
CJI Chandrachud, in his address, highlighted that protecting the rights of disabled children is not merely a legal obligation but also a moral responsibility of society. He underlined the judiciary’s role in ensuring that legal provisions are in place to build a more inclusive society for these children.
Notable Speakers and Dignitaries in Attendance
The two-day workshop saw the participation of various high-ranking officials, including:
- Justice Koteshwar Singh (Supreme Court),
- Himani Sharad (Secretary of the Juvenile Justice Committee, Supreme Court),
- Harish Tandon (Kolkata High Court),
- Anand Pathak (Madhya Pradesh High Court),
- Rekha Palli (Delhi High Court),
- Viren (Gujarat High Court),
- Anil Malik (Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development).
UNICEF’s Chief of Child Protection, Soledad Herrero, and Chetan Desai from UNICEF Chhattisgarh also participated, sharing insights on global efforts to protect the rights of children.
Key Issues and Outcomes of the Workshop
The workshop primarily focused on the protection of disabled children’s rights, improving their access to education and healthcare, and fostering their social inclusion. Discussions also centered on how legal and policy reforms could enhance the quality of life for these children.
The consensus at the workshop was that protecting the rights of disabled children requires a collective effort from all stakeholders in society, including the government, judiciary, social organizations, and civil society.
The Role of the Chhattisgarh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights
The Chhattisgarh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights played a key role in the workshop. Sonal Kumar Gupta shared insights into the commission’s efforts to provide education, healthcare, and employment opportunities for disabled children in the state. He also detailed the commission’s work in strengthening legal provisions to provide adequate support to disabled children.
Gupta emphasized that public awareness programs are essential to sensitize society about the rights and protection of disabled children. He added that the commission is actively working to raise awareness and create a more inclusive environment for these children.
Conclusion: A Significant Step Toward Child Rights Protection
The two-day workshop organized by the Supreme Court marked a crucial step forward in the field of child rights protection. It brought national attention to the rights of disabled children and society’s responsibility toward their empowerment. Sonal Kumar Gupta’s active participation on behalf of the Chhattisgarh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights underscored the state’s commitment to this important cause.
The primary goal of the workshop was to strengthen policy reforms and legal provisions for the inclusive development of disabled children. All participants agreed on the need for greater societal responsibility to ensure the protection and promotion of children’s rights.
Sonal Kumar Gupta expressed his commitment to using the experiences gained from this workshop to take more effective measures for protecting child rights in Chhattisgarh. He believes that the protection of disabled children’s rights is not limited to legal and policy reforms but also requires the sensitivity and awareness of every individual in society.
This workshop was a significant step in raising awareness and promoting accountability toward the protection of disabled children’s rights, with Chhattisgarh’s contribution receiving special recognition.
