Row over Bengaluru orphanage: NCPCR chief booked for trespassing and passing derogatory remark
Bengaluru, Nov 24: Bengaluru Police have registered an FIR against National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) Chairman Priyank Kanoongo over alleged trespassing into an orphanage and stating that the children there are living a "medieval Taliban life", officials said on Friday.
Darul Uloom Sayideeya Yateemkhana came into the spotlight after an NCPCR team headed by its chief conducted a surprise inspection at the orphanage on November 19 in the presence of the District Child Protection Officer (East) along with other officials.
Following the visit, the orphanage’s secretary, Ashraf Khan filed a complaint at DJ Halli police alleged that Kanoongo trespassed into the premises claiming to be from the Human Rights Commission and without permission on November 19
Kanoongo also recorded a video on his phone and shared it on social media, the complaint alleged.
Khan also accused the NCPCR chairman of comparing the lives of children living in the orphanage to that under Taliban rule.
"Based on the complaint received, an FIR was registered against the NCPCR chairman on November 21 under sections 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention), 447 (criminal trespass), 448 (house trespass), and 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the Indian Penal Code,” a senior police officer said.
"I was also accompanied by other state government officials of Karnataka. Despite that, they have registered a case of criminal trespass… If you keep children illegally in your house and do not follow the rules of the government, we will keep going again…," he said.
The NCPCR chairman had also asked the chief secretary of the Karnataka government to ensure that an FIR be registered against the Bengaluru-based orphanage for alleged non-compliance with the Juvenile Justice Act.
In a letter to the chief secretary, the NCPCR said the orphanage is not registered under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 and that it does not fulfill the infrastructural requirements for accommodating such a large number of children.
There were five rooms of approximately 100 square feet and each room had four bunk beds for eight children and 16 children slept on four bunk beds placed in the corridor. Around 150 children sleep in two big halls used for prayer, it said.
"None of these children are sent to school, violating their fundamental right to education. No recreational facility such as play material or TV is available in the orphanage. The condition in which children are kept in the orphanage amounts to violation of Section 75 of the JJ Act, 2015," the NCPCR said in its letter.
The Commission has also sought an action taken report within seven days of issuance of the letter.
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Mangaluru man creates India’s first beeswax chessboard, enters record book
Mangaluru: A unique chessboard made entirely from beeswax has earned Prajwal M, a beekeeper from Kinnigoli near Mangaluru, a place in the India Book of Records.
According to a report published by The Times of India on Wednesday, the handmade beeswax chessboard was showcased at a state-level agricultural exhibition held at the University of Agricultural Sciences (GKVK), Bengaluru, last month. The exhibit attracted widespread attention for its creativity and eco-friendly design.
"The beeswax chessboard measuring 20cm by 26cm works like any other chessboard. The only condition is that it should not be exposed to heat," as a full-time beekeeper and founder of Coastal Honey Bee Farm, I have been experimenting with various value-added products from beeswax and honey," TOI quoted Prajwal as saying.
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Prajwal, who runs the Coastal Honey Bee Farm reportedly said, he has been experimenting with value-added products made from honey and beeswax. An MBA graduate, Prajwal took up beekeeping during Covid-19 pandemic.
He said the idea for the chessboard came after he won a state-level award in October, following which he was invited to display an innovative product at the GKVK exhibition.
Initially, I thought of creating a statue, but I realised it would not be possible to complete it within four days. That is when the idea of making a chessboard struck me. Later, I was told that this is the first chessboard of its kind in India, he said.
As per the report, a native of Talipadi village in Dakshina Kannada district, Prajwal is the son of Sunita and Madhava Shettigar. Apart from the chessboard, he has developed over 25 value-added products, including skincare items, kajal, dry fruit honey and other honey-based products. He is also involved in training programmes for aspiring beekeepers and conducts awareness sessions for schoolchildren.
In recognition of his efforts, Prajwal was conferred the state-level Young Beekeeper Award earlier this year. He hopes to commercially introduce the chessboard soon.
