The National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) filed a complaint on the employment of children in the Bharat Jodo Yatra, and the Election Commission of India responded by sending a notice to the Sonia Gandhi-led party.
Jairam Ramesh, the in-charge of communications for the Congress, said in a statement to the media that it was not unlawful for kids to want to take pictures of themselves with Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi. He emphasised that an activist for the RSS-BJP was in charge of the NCPCR, attributing political motivations to the complaint.
NCPCR Priyank Kanoongo said on Twitter that Congress is lying about this matter and concealing the formation of an organisation named "Jawahar Bal Manch" with the intention of influencing kids between the ages of 7 and 17. Under the spirit of 'Catch them Young', children of tender minds are being groomed as Congress workers. This is morally and legally wrong and shows their immature thinking." Priyank Kanoongo remarked. He continued by saying that this violates the rights of children in accordance with section 13(1)(j) of the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act 2005.
The lawsuit stated that "using children as tools to further political agenda is child abuse, which can have serious long-term effects on their mental health and is against Article 21 of the Indian Constitution."
The BJP was the subject of a counter-complaint from the Congress, which claimed that the party in power and its officials were "using youngsters in a mala fide and perverted way."
