A Madurai-based activist has urged the Tamil Nadu government to ensure effective functioning of State Commission for Protection of Child Rights to tackle increasing crime rate against children in the State.
As per the data procured by S. Karthik under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the number of crimes registered against children from 2020 to 2022 stood at 16,982. At the same time, the number of petitions received by the commission in the three years was just 914, the RTI data added.
In addition, the commission which went defunct in 2022, was restarted only in 2025 following a Government Order in June 19, 2025.
Mr. Karthik said the stark contrast observed in the crime rates and petitions received by the commission in the three years reveals that the commission was not working up to its expectation and was not effective in fulfilling its duties.
Starting from 2020, when the number of crimes against children was 4,338, it has only increased in the following two years – 6,064 in 2021 and 6,580 in 2022.
The purpose of the commission was not just to resolve the petitions but also play a key role in addressing all social issues which were affecting the children, he noted.
“Learning that about 835 petitions were resolved in the three years is quite a relief, but the commission being pushed into silent mode in the following three years exposes the government’s lack of knowledge or seriousness about the problems the commission is capable of solving,” he added.
Though sources attributed the temporary inactivity of the commission to the ineptitude authorities in the body, Mr. Karthik said, the government which has the responsibility to review and direct the commission, should have constantly monitored and studied the changes the commission has put into effect.
“The recent attack of migrant workers by a group of minors armed with dangerous weapons was also a reflection of the poor operation of such important commissions,” Mr. Karthik stated.
When the body of government-selected representatives were given a responsibility to receive and address issues related to the welfare of children, the body should employ all possible ways to make its presence more effective, he added.
“As a first step, it should invite all stakeholders like activists, doctors, educationalists, psychiatrists, NGOs, among others to arrive upon a more modern and timely working structure,” he said.
The temporary closure of the commission for close to three years showed how the government has not cared to use it to the fullest, Mr. Kartik stated.
“We are at a time when the number of children, both accused and victims, are on the rise. Realising the importance of the commission, gearing up the body with more efficient people and incorporating more working models should be done immediately,” he appealed.
Published – December 31, 2025 05:22 pm IST
