The Kerala High Court has issued a stern warning to parents regarding the trend of taking small children to protests and agitations for attention.

Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan highlighted the potential dangers, stating that such actions expose young children to extreme conditions—like high temperatures, loud noises, and chaotic crowds—resulting in emotional trauma. He emphasized that law enforcement can take action against parents in cases of “willful neglect.”

In a recent case, parents of a three-year-old child had faced legal action after taking their child to a protest in Thiruvananthapuram. The police registered an FIR under Section 23 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, citing concerns for the child’s well-being in harsh conditions.

Key Points from the Court’s Ruling:

  • The court noted that children below the age of ten may not understand the purpose of protests and should instead be allowed to enjoy childhood activities.
  • Parents participating in protests may be distracted and unable to care for their children, increasing risks of illness and emotional distress.
  • The Court recognized the parents’ prior loss of another child due to medical negligence, which may have motivated their protest but found no intent to harm the three-year-old.

While the court ultimately quashed the charges against the parents, it stressed that this ruling should not set a precedent for similar future cases. Authorities are encouraged to enforce the law strictly against those endangering children in protest situations.

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