Bhubaneswar: In response to a notice from the Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) issued to senior BJD officials, including party president Naveen Patnaik, the BJD has defended the participation of children in the recent ‘Save Education’ rally held in Jharsuguda. The party stated that the minors attended the event with their parents’ consent.

The protest, organized by several BJD figures including former Jharsuguda MLA Dipali Das and Ipsita Sahoo, the state president of Biju Chhatra Janata Dal, took place on Friday and focused on alleged inaccuracies in school textbooks. Numerous children dressed in school uniforms were observed at the rally.

Following the event, three individuals lodged a complaint with the commission against the BJD leadership, claiming that children were used in a political event during school hours. The complainants also raised concerns about the children’s exposure to fire and smoke during the demonstration.

The commission acknowledged the complaint, suggesting that the situation may constitute violations of the Right to Education Act and the Pocso Act, and has requested explanations from the BJD leadership and associated members within a week.

In light of the notice, Ipsita Sahoo clarified that the gathering was not a political rally but rather a socio-political movement addressing issues impacting students. She emphasized, “We had approached the parents before the rally, and they participated voluntarily. The children, too, joined the programme with their parents’ consent.”