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Guwahati HC CJ: Children Are Citizens of Present, Need Empathy in Justice

The Assam Police organized a keynote lecture on institutionalizing child-friendly practices in the justice system. Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar of the Guwahati High Court delivered the address, stressing that children are citizens of the present, not the future, and that empathy is essential alongside legal frameworks. Assam DGP Harmeet Singh echoed this, committing the police to strengthen child-friendly responses at every policing stage. The event, attended by judges, officials, and child rights organizations, highlighted collaborative efforts to enhance protection for children.

Key Points: Guwahati HC CJ on Child Rights: Empathy Key to Justice Delivery

  • Children are citizens of the present
  • Empathy is core to implementing rights
  • Legal framework alone is insufficient
  • Institutional sensitivity must be strengthened
  • Police commit to child-friendly responses
2 min read

"Children are citizens of present, not the future..": Guwahati HC CJ Ashutosh Kumar

Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar asserts children are citizens of the present, emphasizing empathy alongside law for child-friendly justice in Assam.

"Children are not citizens of the future; they are citizens of the present. - Justice Ashutosh Kumar"

Guwahati, February 25

The Assam Police organised a keynote lecture on 'Institutionalising Child Friendly Practices Across the Justice Delivery Chain' in Guwahati on Tuesday.

The keynote address was delivered by Justice Ashutosh Kumar, Chief Justice of the Guwahati High Court.

In his address, the Chief Justice reflected on the historical evolution and legal framework of child rights, while also highlighting the contemporary challenges in their protection.

During the keynote address, Chief Justice said that, "Children are not citizens of the future; they are citizens of the present. Therefore, we all have a responsibility to uphold the rights of children, as enshrined in the law."

He further added, "A strong legal framework alone cannot make the law work, unless we have empathy."

Assam Director General of police (DGP) Harmeet Singh, who is also the Chairperson of the Assam Police Sishu Mitra Programme, in his welcome address, spoke about the importance of keynote lectures such as this in promoting a context of child-friendly justice delivery and strengthening institutional sensitivity across the justice system.

Speaking at the gathering, DGP Singh said, "As the Chief Justice of the Guwahati High Court mentioned in his keynote, we believe that empathy is core towards implementing children's rights. The Assam Police will continue to undertake measures to strengthen child-friendly responses at every stage of policing across the State."

The programme was also attended by Judges of the Guwahati High Court, including Justice Kalyan Rai Surana, Justice Arun Dev Choudhury and Justice Mridul Kumar Kalita.

Judges of POCSO Courts, Senior Officers from Government Departments and the Judiciary, Duty Bearers from the Child Protection System, and Officers of the Assam Police were also present at the event.

The programme was organised in collaboration with UNICEF and UTSAH Child Rights Organisation, an Assam-based child rights organisation.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
"A strong legal framework alone cannot make the law work, unless we have empathy." This line hits home. We have POCSO courts and laws, but the real challenge is the attitude of police, judges, and society. Glad to see Assam Police taking initiatives like Sishu Mitra.
A
Aman W
Good to see high-level discussions on this. But I hope this translates to action on the ground, especially in rural Assam. Many children, especially from tea garden communities, face immense challenges. Institutional sensitivity must reach the last mile.
S
Sarah B
As someone who works with an NGO, training police in child-friendly procedures is crucial. The first interaction a child victim has with the system often sets the tone for their entire journey. Kudos to UNICEF and UTSAH for collaborating.
V
Vikram M
Respectfully, while the intent is good, we need more than lectures. We need dedicated, well-funded child protection units in every district, with trained counselors and child-friendly courtrooms. The infrastructure often lags behind the speeches.
K
Kavya N
This is heartening to read. When the Chief Justice and the DGP both emphasize empathy, it sends a powerful message down the ranks. A child-friendly justice system is a sign of a truly civilized society. More states should follow this model.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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