SRINAGAR, JUNE 26: Under the vision of Justice Pankaj Mittal, Chief Justice High Court of J&K, Patron-in-Chief, J&K Judicial Academy and  guidance of Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur, Chairman, Governing Committee, J&K Judicial Academy, a webinar was organized by J&K Judicial Academy on topic “Understanding Contours Of Neglected Juvenile And Juvenile In Conflict With The Law, A Way Forward For Their Care, Protection And Rehabilitation” for Judicial Officers of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Principal Magistrates of Juvenile Justice Boards, Child Welfare Committees, Child Protection Officers and Observation Homes.

The webinar was presided over by Justice Sindhu Sharma, Member, Governing Committee, J&K Judicial Academy in presence of Kailash Satyarthi, Nobel Peace Laureate (2014) who was the main speaker of the programme, Sheetal Nanda, Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Sanjay Parihar, Director, J&K Judicial Academy.

Justice Sindhu Sharma highlighted the key provisions of  Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, and its special provisions relating to Care, Protection and Rehabilitation of children. She described the nature of Act as being curative and not punitive and stressed that we must make endeavours to see that not even a single child is neglected and all possible measures are taken for implementation of the Act for overall welfare of children.

Sheetal Nanda described that the Act has immense scope for taking initiatives for the overall care and welfare of children. She reminded the participants about the sustained commitment and responsibilities of all citizens to work for the cause of well-being of children.

Kailash Satyarthi in his keynote address described the programme as being of immense importance in the context of unique requirements of the UTs of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh vis-a-vis its children. He sensitized the Judicial Officers to be conscious of their social and legal responsibilities as an unbiased guardian of all citizens and particularly children. He underscored that Judiciary plays a pivotal role in ensuring Justice and therefore keeping in view the expectations of the society, the members of the Judicial fraternity will have to play a very active and positive role in minimizing the challenges confronting the holistic growth of a child.

He referred to the campaign “Justice for every Child” and encouraged the participants to adopt preventive measures to deal with neglect issues ranging from emotional, social and economic which may be prevalent during the pandemic particularly. He also cited the example of “Baal Mitr Gaon” which have the participation of the children in schools, panchayats and at all levels of activity within a particular village which will further create a culture of child right and a child conducive ecosystem. He also stressed the need to activate all resources in hand for rehabilitation, and reintegration of Juvenile delinquents. He advised the participants to empathise with the children in stress situation and feel their pain with a firm determination to take action for bringing an end to their sufferings in the same manner as if they were their own children.

The webinar was moderated by Sanjay Parihar, Director, J&K Judicial Academy, who also presented vote of thanks.