Warangal: Congress raises issue of children’s involvement in poll activities by PM Modi

Telangana: The Telangana Congress Committee complained to the Election Commission alleging that prime minister Narendra Modi violated the Model Code of Conduct during his campaigning in Telangana.

In a written complaint, Congress leader G Niranjan wrote to the EC that PM Modi was seen carrying a child in his arms in Laxmipuram in Warangal district, violating MCC guidelines set against the participation of children in election-related activities.

“It is unfortunate that Narendra Modi being a member of the selection panel is violating the Model Code of Conduct and directions of the Election Commission of India. Modi while going from Mamunuru Airport to the Warangal public meeting on May 6 stopped his vehicle at Laxmipuram when he saw a child in the hands of her mother inside the gate of her house. He opened his car door and called the mother and carried the child into his arms and played with the child for few moments,” said Niranjan in the letter to ECI.

What does MCC say?

1. Prohibition of Child Participation in election-related activities: Political parties are explicitly directed not to engage children in any form of election campaign, including rallies, slogan shouting, distribution of posters or pamphlets, or any other election-related activity. Political leaders_ and candidates should not use children for campaign activities in any manner including holding a child in their arms, carrying a child in a vehicle or allies

2. This prohibition extends to the use of children to create the semblance of a political campaign in any manner including use through poems, songs, spoken words, display of insignia of political party/candidate, exhibiting ideology of political party, promoting achievements of a political party or criticizing the opponent political parties/candidates However, the mere presence of a child accompanied by their parent or guardian in proximity of a political leader and who is not involved in any election campaigning activity by the political party, will not be construed as a violation of the guidelines.

3. Legal Compliance: All political parties and candidates are required to ensure strict compliance with the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, as amended by the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016. The Commission directives also highlighted the Bombay High Court in its Order dated 4th August, 2014 in PIL 127 of 2012 (Chetan Ramlal Bhutada Vs. State of Maharashtra and others) which had stressed the need to ensure that political parties do not allow participation of minor children in any election-related activities.

This is not the first time the Congress leader has approached the EC with complaints against the BJP leaders. On Tuesday, Niranjan filed a complaint against PM Modi for allegedly making children participate in a public election meeting at Khargone in Madhya Pradesh. Niranjan has at least written six times to the commission against alleged MCC violations by PM Modi at multiple public meetings on the campaign trail. He also filed a police complaint against Union home minister Amit Shah for allegedly using children in an election rally in Hyderabad.