I was sick and in prison but you would not take care of me.” Jesus Christ always went about doing good to others and healing all who suffered, as God was with Him. In Mathew chapter 19 verse 14 Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to them”. So, why discriminate and stop the HIV positive children from learning at Fatima High School, Rivona which has given admission to them. Our Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi said, “I like Jesus Christ but not Christians”. Communion means coming together and sharing. How can we go to the church on Sunday, receive the Holy Communion and at the same time make the innocent HIV infected children victims of humiliation and discrimination. Many times, we sing the popular hymn in the church, “I have decided to follow Jesus, No turning back, No turning back,” So, my fellow parents from Rivona why turn your back against the HIV infected children.
The denial of admission to the 13 HIV positive children to the school in Rivona would be a violation of a recent Supreme Court notice that has asked the central government and state governments to declare HIV positive children as a disadvantaged group under the Right to Education (RTE) Act and to ensure they get education without discrimination. Denying admission to the HIV infected children is a violation of the rights of the child under the Indian Constitution, child-related laws in India and international covenants that India has ratified. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act guarantees education to all children irrespective of any illness, caste, creed and disability. Section 9 (c) ensures that the child belonging to weaker sections and the child belonging to disadvantaged groups are not discriminated against and prevented from pursuing and completing elementary education on any grounds.
Nobody is above law. Every citizen of India is subject to the Constitution of India and the law. The Government of Goa and the individuals and agencies like the Goa Police responsible for enforcing the law must maintain law and order and ensure the safety of all the citizens. The NGOs with the help of experts like doctors and lawyers need to counsel the agitating parents. We as citizens of India need to abide by the law of our country.
(The writer is a law student of V M Salgaocar College of Law, Miramar)
