The World Day Against Child Labour was marked across the globe with an aim to ensure that no child is forced to work in the young age. However, from time to time, Kashmir has witnessed multiple events when the children were seen occupied in the work, thereby putting a question mark on the functioning of the concerned department in ensuring that all the norms are complied with strictly. While strict laws exist, the sighting of minors working in tea stalls, workshops, roadside eateries and other places remains a grave issue. This violation of children’s rights is not just a legal issue, but a moral and societal failure as well. Children belong in schools and playgrounds, not behind counters or carrying bricks. Every child who is forced to work loses a future of learning, health and safety. When a minor is seen washing dishes in a roadside dhaba or assisting in a mechanic’s garage, it is a stark reminder that laws on paper are not enough without public will and administrative action. The reasons behind child labour are complex including poverty, lack of access to quality education and social acceptance of the practice. But complexity should not be an excuse for inaction. Therefore, the situation calls for a more concerted, multi-pronged approach including greater investment in education, financial support for vulnerable families, stronger monitoring mechanisms and community-level awareness campaigns. At this juncture, creating awareness in this regard is not enough, but there is a dire need to take concrete measures to end this practice once for all.
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