Children at the protest? NHRC seeks answers over CJP’s Mumbai rally

Mumbai: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognisance of allegations concerning the presence and alleged mobilisation of minor children during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on October 2.

The Commission has sought Action Taken Reports from four authorities — the Mumbai Police Commissioner, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), X Corp’s grievance officer and Maharashtra’s Women and Child Development Department. The reports have been sought within one week.

The complaint alleged that children were present at the demonstration and that their presence may have been intended to discourage police action against protesters. However, the NHRC notice records these as allegations requiring investigation and does not establish that organisers deliberately used children for that purpose.

What the NHRC has asked authorities to investigate

Mumbai Police has been asked to examine photographs, videos, social media posts and electronic communications connected with the protest. The investigation is also expected to examine the roles of organisers, coordinators, accompanying adults and the children’s parents or guardians.

The Commission has directed the police to consider whether provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act or other applicable laws are attracted. If the inquiry reveals a cognisable offence, police have been asked to take appropriate legal action.

The NHRC has also directed authorities to preserve relevant digital evidence and establish how the children came to be present at the protest.

X and MeitY asked to preserve digital records

X Corp has been asked to preserve relevant records connected with posts and accounts containing photographs or videos of the children. The information sought includes account details, URLs, timestamps and other available electronic records.

MeitY has been asked to examine whether the platform complied with applicable provisions of the Information Technology Act and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

The Maharashtra Women and Child Development Department has been asked to identify children involved in the matter and, where required, place them before the appropriate Child Welfare Committee.

The NHRC has stressed that the identities, privacy and dignity of the children must be protected during the inquiry. It has also directed authorities to provide counselling, care, protection and rehabilitation wherever necessary. What happened at the CJP protest

The CJP organised the October 2 demonstration at Shivaji Park as part of its campaign seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Mumbai Police had refused permission for the gathering, citing restrictions governing the use of Shivaji Park as well as concerns over traffic, noise and access to nearby hospitals. Despite the denial, thousands of people gathered at the venue. Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, Vishal Bhardwaj and Vishal Dadlani were among the prominent figures reported to have attended the demonstration.

Mumbai Police subsequently registered an FIR against CJP supporters in connection with the gathering, citing allegations including unlawful assembly, traffic disruption and use of loudspeakers without permission.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has said the campaign could be taken to Delhi if its demand concerning Kumar is not met. The organisation has announced plans for a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10.

The NHRC’s latest intervention is separate from the FIR concerning the unauthorised Mumbai gathering. The allegations involving minors will now be examined by the authorities named in the Commission’s notice.