The state government of Madhya Pradesh has been ordered by the Madhya Pradesh High Court to ensure that no religious education must be given to children staying in shelter homes. While hearing the case Judge Bench of Justice Vishal Dhagat said, “It is for the State Government to see that religious education is not imparted in shelter homes to children but they are imparted modern education, as laid down in Section 53 of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.”

NCPCR Chairman, Priyank Kanangoo upon getting the information of religious conversion attempts being taken upon the children staying in shelter homes carried out inspection of the institute on 29th of May and found out Hindu children were forced to read Bible and visit church. After this FIR was registered under Section 7 of the JJ Act and Section 3 and 5 of Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2021.

The court observed that “As per Section 53, State Government is free to take action in accordance with Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 against Asha Kiran Care Institute if there is violation of Section 53 and sectarian education is provided to children,”.

 

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