Arrest me says Auda, but look who is talking

Takes a dig at Commission for protection of child rights 

TEAM HERALD 

teamherald@herald-goa.com 

MARGAO: Asserting that the Goa State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights cannot conduct quasi-judicial proceedings and issue orders of enforceable nature, women rights activist, Auda Viegas, has said she has no issue on courting arrest in the Shiroda girl molestation case if she is in the wrong and if this can bring the culprits to book.

Briefing newsmen following a complaint filed against her by another women’s activist, Tara Kerkar, Auda said the people genuinely working in the field of women’s rights, empowerment and child rights and empowerment know her work and credibility. “People also know the credibility of the one who casts aspersions and the motives behind such reckless abuse,” she said, adding “my request is not to lose focus from the issue of the alleged teacher’s involvement in child abuse.” 

“Do not convert this into an Auda/other person battle. I fight and stand for children and specially the girl child,” she asserted. 

On the order passed by the Goa State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights, Auda said the Children’s Act do not empower the Commission to issue orders and instructions of judicial and quasi-judicial nature. “The Commission’s main task is to work to create a child-friendly society through awareness, dialogue, review of laws etc.,” she added.

Auda said the Commission has also erred completely in holding that the abused child’s statement cannot be recorded in the presence of a social worker/counselor. “Instead of counseling and guidance to the victim, including the parent who has approached the Commission, the Commission issues directions to the headmaster, Chairperson of the society running the school and me. It failed to stress that the statement of a child should be recorded in a child friendly environment. The child was very comfortable while giving her complaint to the police in my presence. The Commission should have gone through the history of the school teacher and other complaints received against him to form an opinion,” she added.