The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) served a summon to Chandigarh Deputy Commissioner Mandip Singh Brar for not submitting Action Taken Report within a stipulated time on 10 September. It is in the case of self-styled Healer and Godman Bajinder Singh who was seen using a minor boy for allegedly carrying out forceful religious conversion activity.
In a previous letter to Chandigarh DC on 29 August 2021, before the summon, Dharmendra Bhandari, Principal Secretary to the Chairperson of NCPCR, has said that the child rights body has come across a video posted on Twitter that showed pastor Singh using a minor boy for unusual superstition activity. The commission noted that the minor boy was seen crying in the video and the body language of both the prophet and the child seemed unusual.
On examining the said complaint, the NCPCR noted that it has come to the commission’s notice that several such videos are available on social media in the name of Singh, ministries, the Church of Glory Wisdom, Chandigarh. The NCPCR noted that prima facie it appeared that such videos promoted superstition and used children for such purposes. Thus, violating the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015. Further, the commission also pointed out that nobody in the video was seen even using the mask and followed social distancing norms, a violation of Covid protocol guidelines issued by the Government of India.
Therefore, the Commission has taken cognisance of the above under section 13 (1) (j) of the CPCR Act, 2005 and directed the Deputy Commissioner to inquire into the matter and furnish an Action Taken Report within the next seven days, that is by 5 September 2021. But the Chandigarh DC did not submit the ATR report within the said time limit. Hence, NCPCR asked Chandigarh DC to preside on a video conference on 23 September to show why ATR wasn’t submitted in time. If failed, the said office of the Deputy Commissioner has to face the music as per law.
A few days ago, a video of Singh and the minor boy had gone viral on the internet. He asks the boy if his sister could speak earlier. The boy answers in the negative. Then he is asked whether she could speak now, and this time he answers in the affirmative.
NCPCR Chairman Priyank Kanoongo told The Daily Guardian, “Violation is a violation and it has nothing to do with any religion. Superstition while using kids is simply not tolerable, this matter needs action and we are seeking Action Taken Report from the Chandigarh Administration.” When asked this issue falls under the jurisdiction of Mohali Deputy Commissioner and not in the jurisdiction of Chandigarh Deputy Commissioner, Kanoongo replied, “Even if it is falling under Mohali DC, Chandigarh DC should have replied within a stipulated time, which he didn›t. He could have forwarded the matter to the concerned officer and he didn›t. This is why we summoned him”