Concern over child adoption racket amid pandemic

"X is a beautiful girl. She is 2. Lost both her parents. If anyone is willing to adopt her, please call xxxxxxxxxx". Such messages are doing rounds in social media. Sensing an opportunity, child adoption rackets that run in the facade of NGOs and orphanage homes are trying to exploit children.

Chennai: "X is a beautiful girl. She is 2. Lost both her parents. If anyone is willing to adopt her, please call xxxxxxxxxx". Such messages are doing rounds in social media. Sensing an opportunity, child adoption rackets that run in the facade of NGOs and Orphanage Homes are trying to exploit children.

Activists term these attempts as unlawful and illegal, government machinery which is keeping a watch through its framework maintains that it was tracking such solicitations and that they would take stringent actions.

Ignorant relatives and friends also post such messages on social media platforms without realising that they may end up behind the bars and the government urges them to approach the childline which can be reached at 1098.

The growing number of Covid deaths widens the scope of the racket and the possibility of an ignorant decision by friends or relatives ruining the life of children completely.

Tamil Nadu, at present, has as many as 14 adoption centres and about 400 homes for children. Though the childline has not yet received any calls relating to the possible adoption of orphaned children, activists suggest that the children referred to in the messages doing the rounds would have already ended up in an unauthorised home.

The helpline has been getting calls related to food requests and other basic support which are provided by the local teams functioning with District Child Welfare Committee.

Referring to adoption messages, P Mohan, a former member of Tamil Nadu Commission for Protection of Child Rights (TNCPCR), said it was illegal.

"Of course, some people may have hearts to help these helpless children. But there are some procedures and you have to get approval from the government" he said.

He too had come across such messages but could not reach the person who posted the message as the contact numbers provided were either turned off or out of reach.

Prof Andrew Sesuraj, State Convener, Tamil Nadu Child Rights Watch, observed that childline number 1098 is the only way forward.

"If you dial 1098 and inform about such children, staff at childline would further take care of. Even when parents are isolated in the hospitals due to Covid, childline makes temporary arrangements for the children" he said.

He added that NGOs and individuals eager to adopt the children should go through proper channels. Stating that Tamil Nadu has many agencies like the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) and District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) to care and protect the children, Andrew pointed out that such agencies are working round the clock for the welfare of children.

Dr V Ramaraj, member, SCPCR, notes that there is absolutely no legal scope for any individuals or agency to adopt children other than the state-monitored or state-run units which have the legal ambit.

"Circulating such adoption messages in the social media is punishable. Many NGOs and persons contemplate that this is the right time to exploit the children in the name of adoption, but we have stepped up our vigil. We are also committed to protecting children from crime during the pandemic," he said

V. Anuradha, head, Southern Region, Childline India Foundation (CIF), reiterated that there is a legal process for adoption. "People can contact 1098 for children who are in dire need of care and protection. Even while parents are either isolated or quarantined, the childline would be on standby to help the children". "As far as advertising or circulating unauthorised agencies are concerned, it is an illegal and punishable offence," she warned.

Pointers:

1. Social media posts soliciting adoption are illegal under Section 80 and 81 of the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act, 2015. It prohibits offering or receiving children outside the processes laid down under the Act as well as their sale and purchase. It can attract a punishment with three to five years in jail or ₹1 lakh in fine.

2. Childline 1098, or the district Child Welfare Committee (CWC), District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) or the helpline of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) has to be approached for assistance on any kind related to children.

3. Adoption is noted as the only option for such children orphaned during Covid-19. Such children may have uncles or aunts who would be willing to look after them. Children may also desire to grow within the same heritage of their own family. Under such circumstances, it is important to guard the rights of such children.