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Key Points

This is a heartbreaking case where children suffering from pneumonia were subjected to dangerous traditional healing practices. The National Human Rights Commission has stepped in after learning that three young children were branded with hot iron rods. Two of these victims were just two-month-old infants who are now fighting for their lives in hospital. It's particularly concerning that the parents themselves took their children to this faith healer, highlighting the need for awareness about proper medical care.

Key Points: NHRC Acts After Faith Healer Brands Pneumonia Children in MP

  • Three children with pneumonia were branded with hot iron rods by a faith healer
  • Two of the victims were just two-month-old infants in critical condition
  • Parents themselves took the children to the faith healer for treatment
  • All three children require oxygen support with one referred for advanced care
2 min read

NHRC takes suo motu cognisance after children with pneumonia branded by faith healer in MP

NHRC takes suo motu action after 3 pneumonia-stricken children, including 2 infants, were branded with hot iron rods by faith healer in Madhya Pradesh's Jhabua district.

"The contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issues of violation of human rights - National Human Rights Commission"

New Delhi, Oct 6

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report that three children suffering from pneumonia were branded with a hot iron rod by a faith healer in Madhya Pradesh's Jhabua district.

Reportedly, the condition of one of the children is said to be serious.

Doctors have confirmed that the children were suffering from pneumonia and bore burn marks on their bodies.

The apex human rights body has said that the contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issues of violation of human rights.

The NHRC has issued notices to the Jhabua District Magistrate Neha Meena and the Superintendent of Police Padam Vilochan Shukla, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.

According to media reports carried on September 25, the parents of the children themselves had taken them to the faith healer.

Out of the three children who were branded with hot iron rods, two are infants who are two-months-old.

Following the incident, their health deteriorated significantly, and they were rushed to the Jhabua District Hospital in critical condition.

All three children are currently on oxygen support, and one girl has been referred to Dahod for further medical care.

The Madhya Pradesh Police are actively investigating to determine who branded the children and where these acts took place.

Established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, the NHRC, an autonomous statutory body, is an embodiment of India's concern for the promotion and protection of human rights.

Its primary role is to protect and promote human rights, defined as the rights relating to life, liberty, equality, and dignity of individuals guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied in international covenants and enforceable by courts in India.

The apex human rights body has the power to take suo motu action based on media reports, public knowledge or other sources, without receiving a formal complaint of human rights violations.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
As someone from MP, I can tell you that superstition still runs deep in many tribal areas. The government needs to run proper health awareness campaigns instead of just reacting after such tragedies occur.
A
Anjali F
Two-month-old infants being branded with hot iron rods? This is pure torture! The faith healer should be arrested immediately and the parents need counseling. Hope the children recover soon 🙏
D
David E
While I understand the outrage, let's not forget that these parents likely acted out of desperation and ignorance rather than malice. The real failure is the lack of accessible healthcare and education in these regions.
S
Siddharth J
Good that NHRC is acting swiftly. But this raises questions about our primary healthcare system - why do people still rely on faith healers in 2023? We need more doctors and health centers in tribal districts like Jhabua.
K
Kavya N
This incident shows how important it is to strengthen our public health infrastructure. Pneumonia is treatable with proper medical care. My prayers are with these innocent children for speedy recovery.

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