Satyarthi organises yatra against assault on kids

Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi On Tuesday declared a war against the growing incidents of sexual assault on children and trafficking.

At an event here, he also announced the launch of the month-long 'Bharat Yatra', starting next month, to “reawaken the slumbering conscience of this nation” against child sexual abuse and trafficking, as well as to press the demand for “a strong and effective law” against trafficking.

The Bharat Yatra will start from the Vivekananda Memorial in Kanyakumari on September 11 and conclude at Delhi on October 16, passing through through 22 states.

The march will simultaneously be begun by people from six other locations in India and conclude in Delhi on October 16, he said.

The Nobel laureate told the gathering that the initiative has the support of various sections of society and of people from different walks of life, including the government, the judiciary, the police and parliamentarians across party lines.

Religious leaders from various faiths have also extended their support to the movement, he said.

“Today, I declare a war on child sexual abuse and trafficking and appeal people to join. Today, I am announcing the Bharat Yatra, the biggest movement in history to make India safe again for children. I refuse to accept that the innocence, smiles and freedom of our children can keep getting stripped and raped. These are not ordinary crimes. This a moral epidemic haunting our nation and the world,” Satyarthi said.

The Nobel laureate told the gathering that he personally met the President, vice president, prime minister, Union ministers, many chief ministers, parliamentarians, religious leaders, entrepreneurs, judicial officers, child right commissions, senior police officers, as well as “leading lights of education and social reform” seeking their support.

“Trafficking has been one of the largest crimes which violate basic human rights. The government of India is committed to checking the menace. Mass awareness is very important. The proposed yatra would be an important endeavour. I wish Satyarthi all success,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a message.