Congress General Secretary for UP East Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been served a notice by National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) for using children in election campaign. This is related to a video in which children were seen shouting slogans against Prime Minister Modi in abusive language, as she stood there cheering them.

However, blaming the BJP for editing the video clip, Gandhi had said that she had stopped the children from using abusive language for the PM. “I’m sorry but I stopped children from saying slogans which I thought were not correct about the Prime Minister,” she said. “I stopped them. The BJP has edited the tape and made this allegation which is typical of them. Because they twist the truth. I speak the truth”, she added.

The NCPCR had yesterday written to the Election Commission (EC) regarding the video requesting to ensure that children are not involved for the election purposes and had recommended to all National Parties not to use children for distribution of posters/pamphlets, participate in slogan shouting, etc.

The NCPCR notice to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra notes that in the video, children are being actively involved in election campaigning, which is a violation of the model code of conduct for elections.

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The letter also stated an earlier order of the EC in which the poll body had mentioned that such violation of children’s rights for any work connected with the election process like campaigning, carrying of campaigning material, etc. would attract necessary action and apart from facing the consequences of the law if any, will be taken by the Commission against erring political parties. The NCPCR urged the EC to take the necessary action as per its discretion.

The NCPCR has asked Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to respond to the notice within 3 days, mentioning the name and address of the children seen in the video, the place where the incident took place, and how the children were brought there.