In a strong rebuke, the Kerala High Court has issued a stern warning to parents who involve their young children in protests, stating that strict action will be taken against such behavior. Justice PV Kunhikrishnan emphasized that exposing children to the emotional and physical stress of protests and agitations can cause lasting harm.
The Court remarked that children under the age of 10, who are often unaware of the causes they are dragged into, should be enjoying their childhood—playing, learning, and having fun—not standing in the heat of protests or enduring the chaos of demonstrations.
“Let children be children,” the Court urged, adding that authorities have the full legal right to act when parents willfully use their kids to draw attention to a protest. Justice Kunhikrishnan underscored that such exposure puts children at risk of illness, emotional trauma, and even physical injury, with the noise and potential violence at such events posing additional dangers.
This ruling arose from a case involving parents who took their three-year-old child to protest outside the State Secretariat under intense heat, following the death of their first child due to alleged medical negligence. While the parents sought financial aid from the government, the protest led to their arrest under the Juvenile Justice Act for cruelty to children.
Acknowledging the tragic loss that fueled their protest, the Court ultimately quashed the case, noting that there was no intent to neglect the child. However, the Court made it crystal clear: this was not a free pass for others. Any future actions involving children in protests could see law enforcement step in decisively.