Statement from Civil Society Organisations and Individuals on NCPCR’s Blanket Recommendation for Restoration of Children in Child Care Institutions

5 October 2020

We, the undersigned civil society organisations, networks, groups, and individuals, working on issues concerning human rights of children and National Human Rights Institutions, condemn the letter issued by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), requiring all District Magistrates in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Meghalaya and Mizoram to restore and repatriate all children living in Child Care Institutions (CCIs),1 except Specialised Adoption Agencies (SAA) and Observation Homes.

Despite our firm belief that institutionalisation must be the last resort, we wish to state that removing children from institutional care, irrespective of regard for their peculiar and particular circumstances and bypassing due process will inevitably push many children into situations of greater risk of violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

It is a well-established fact that children come back into the juvenile justice system with increased vulnerabilities if restored to an abusive family or a situation where the family is unable to provide due care and protection for reasons beyond their control. Unfortunately, the letter comes at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has rendered children and families even more vulnerable. In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, families have been pushed beyond the margins - from food security to housing and livelihood, their problems, including mental health challenges, have increased manifold. Restoring children to such a situation without considering the views of children and their families and without an assessment cannot be in their best interest.

We are of the firm view that:

(1) NCPCR’s Recommendations are contrary to the purpose, principles, and spirit of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015

De-institutionalisation is an important intervention for children living in CCIs and must be taken with careful planning and utmost care through an individualized approach. By selectively citing the principles of institutionalisation as a measure of last resort and repatriation and restoration in support of its exercise of suo motu cognizance, the NCPCR violates the objectives of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (JJ Act, 2015) and fails to consider the other fundamental principles of best interest of children, safety and participation. (a) By requiring the District Magistrates to restore all children living in CCIs immediately, the NCPCR has failed to respect the primary objective of the JJ Act, 2015, which is to ensure an individualized child-friendly approach while determining specific interventions for care, protection, rehabilitation and reintegration of each child in the juvenile justice system. The definition of child friendly in Section 2(15), JJ Act, 2015, places a responsibility on all

1 Available at: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ncpcr-directs-8-states-to-send-children-in-child-care- homes-back-to-their-families/article32702838.ece (last accessed on 04.10.2020)

1 functionaries and authorities to ensure that they also act in the ‘best interest of the child’. Further Section 2(9), JJ Act provides the definition of “best interest” as –‘the basis for any decision taken regarding the child, to ensure fulfilment of his basic rights and needs, identity, social well-being and physical, emotional and intellectual development”. Read together, these provisions obligate the NCPCR to ensure that all rights of all children in the child protection system are respected, protected and fulfilled. The arbitrary recommendation of the NCPCR to immediately restore and repatriate all children in CCIs in these select States, in such haste without respecting the jurisdiction of Child Welfare Committees empowered to pass legally binding orders in the best interest of each child is a serious violation of the JJ Act, 2015 and administrative law. (b) The NCPCR’s “one size fits all” approach and its assumption that restoration is the only option belies the experiences of children who have been subjected to physical and sexual violence, neglect and exploitation within the family. There is enough evidence to prove that children are not safe within their own families. A study by UNICEF conducted in two districts each in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha, three districts in Rajasthan and four districts in Maharashtra in 2019 indicates 30 different forms of physical and verbal abuse used by Indian parents on children as young as 0 to 6 years as a disciplining measure.2 The Crime in India report, 2019 suggests 8.7 per cent of cases of sexual abuse by known offenders are by family members.3 The Jena Committee report found 5,291 children in the age group of 0-6 years and 1,78,885 in the age group of 7-18 years in CCIs/Homes whose parents were ‘unfit or incapacitated to take care’.4 Many children residing in a CCI are victims of their circumstances and placed in institutions until they can be suitably rehabilitated and reintegrated on the basis of individual care plans that vary from child to child. (c) While non-institutional care is an important objective, blanket recommendations by the NCPCR to release and restore all children residing in CCIs ignores the need for and recognition of institutional care as a disposition available under law, especially when restoration to the family is not in the child’s best interest. Many children are placed in CCIs for long term care based on orders passed by Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) after due inquiry, and therefore not all can be restored to their biological families or placed in alternative care. (d) Such decisions cannot be made without taking into consideration children’s views and it is imperative that children who do not wish to return to their families for any reason are not sent back to show compliance with such recommendations.

(2) NCPCR has bypassed and undermined the jurisdiction, powers, and functions, of the Child Welfare Committees established under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 Through its recommendations, the NCPCR has undermined the jurisdiction of Child Welfare Committees (CWCs), the statutory authority vested with the power to conduct

2 Available at: https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/jun/03/indian-parents-use-30-different-kinds-of- abuse-on-kids-from-0-to-6-years-unicef-study-2151607.html (Last accessed on 05.10.2020) 3 Available at: https://ncrb.gov.in/sites/default/files/CII%202019%20Volume%201.pdf (Last accessed on 05.10.2020) 4 Available at: https://wcd.nic.in/sites/default/files/CIF%20Report%201.pdf (Last accessed on 05.10.2020)

2 independent inquiries and determine the rehabilitation and social reintegration of children in need of care and protection (CNCP). a) As the premier human rights institution for monitoring the protection and promotion of child rights in India, it is imperative for the NCPCR to monitor the implementation of the JJ Act, 2015. NCPCR’s letter, however, reflects a blatant disregard of the provisions of this Act, and the authority of the Child Welfare Committees established under the said Act. b) Section 1(4), JJ Act, 2015 implies that this Act overrides any other law in force with regard to decisions related to restoration, rehabilitation and reintegration of CNCP. Such decisions therefore cannot be made by the District Magistrate or any other authority except the CWC. c) Under Section 29, JJ Act, 2015, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), a statutory authority established in every district, is vested with the “authority to dispose of cases for the care, protection, treatment, development and rehabilitation of children in need of care and protection”. The recommendation issued to the District Magistrates by the NCPCR reduces production of such children before the CWCs to a mere formality and takes away the discretion of the CWCs in deciding for a child as per established rules. d) It must be noted that even the Supreme Court of India, while taking cognizance of the difficulties imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic in Re: Contagion of COVID-19 virus in Children Protection Homes, recognised the authority of CWCs to decide on this matter and accordingly issued guidelines for their safety in the CCIs. The NCPCR’s recommendations are not just in violation of the JJ Act, 2015 but also the Supreme Court’s order.

(3) Recommendations ignore the need for preparedness of families and alternative care measures and the larger issue of systemic failures Due diligence calls for preparedness of children, families and the child protection system. The NCPCR has ignored this completely in making far-fetched recommendations to be implemented in haste. a) There is no mention of preparing children and their families for restoration nor for ensuring that the alternative care system has the capacity to support children who can be restored, without subjecting them to greater distress. Individual care plans are an essential part of restoration orders and contain a pre-release and post-release component, emphasising not just the significance of individualised intervention but also preparedness for restoration and follow-up, which will receive a setback if a blanket restoration drive is carried out in the manner indicated in the letter. b) Strengthening the system has been a continuous demand and call for adequate resources. The child protection sector received only 0.06 per cent of the Union Budget in the year 2020-21, a reduction of 0.01 percentage points from the previous year.5 DCPUs are unable to function at full capacity for various reasons, including shortage of personnel as vacancies remain unfilled. The COVID-19 pandemic has added further pressure and practical difficulties in carrying out the required tasks. The problem is more systemic and

5 Available at: https://www.haqcrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/haq-2020-21-budget-for-children- analysis.pdf (Last accessed on 04.10.2020)

3 not just about the functioning of CCIs. The NCPCR has failed to see that children end up bearing the brunt of systemic failures. c) A January 2019 report by NALSA indicates that state level data bases of various services, including medical and counselling centres, de-addiction centres, hospitals, education facilities, apprenticeship and vocational training programmes etc., are not fully maintained by the State Child Protection Societies and District Child Protection Units.6 Clearly, connecting families to social security and welfare schemes, connecting children to neighbourhood schools and such other measures envisaged by the NCPCR require a significant investment in building the capacity of the system and its officers to undertake such an exercise. Much work is required on the ground to ensure that the restoration measures do not fail children by placing them at greater risk of harm, now or in the future and that such measures are undertaken based in individualized inquiries for each child in their best interest.

(4) NCPCR has exceeded its jurisdiction, mandate, and powers of inquiry under the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005 (CPCR Act) Through this order, the NCPCR has exceeded its mandate and has also displayed scant regard for the procedures for inquiry laid down in the CPCR Act and bypassed State Governments by addressing recommendation directly to District Magistrates. a) The NCPCR derives its mandate, powers and functions under the CPCR Act and NCPCR Rules, 2006. Its principal mandate is to monitor implementation of laws, policies, and programmes for children, examine whether they are in consonance with child rights enshrined in the Constitution of India and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989, and make recommendations to ensure the protection and promotion of child rights. b) The NCPCR has taken suo motu cognizance under Section 13(1)(j), CPCR Act “to ensure a thorough implementation of Principle XII and XIII of Section 3 of the JJ Act, 2015.” The NCPCR relies on a social audit of CCIs, stated to have brought to their notice certain “pitiable conditions of children in these CCIs.” No specific violations are specified and it is also not clear whether any notice was given to State Governments to reply to the issues arising from the violations identified during the social audit. c) In NDTV Imagine v. NCPCR,7 the Delhi High Court held that “There appears to be no power vested in the NCPCR to pass an ex parte order… The very nature of the power under Section 14 envisages the issuance of a prior notice followed by an inquiry. The power under Section 15 CPCR Act can be exercised only upon completion of an inquiry.” In a display of scant regard for the provisions of the CPCR Act and this judgement, the NCPCR appears to have made recommendations without completing the inquiry process. By doing so, the NCPCR has undermined the legitimacy of human rights institutions and violated the procedures established under the CPCR Act for inquiries and recommendations.

6 Available at: https://nalsa.gov.in/acts-rules/guidelines/status-of-juvenile-justice-system-a-quick-overview (Last accessed on 04.10.2020) 7 WP(C) 12142 of 2009 and CM APPL No. 12335/09 order dated 15.03.2010.

4 d) The letter raises several concerns about the functioning of the Commission. It is addressed directly to District Magistrates and the concerned State Governments, who are responsible for the implementation of the JJ Act, 2015 are bypassed. Alarmingly, it does not bear the signature of any of the sitting members of the Commission or the Chairperson and is instead signed by a Senior Consultant in the Legal Division of the NCPCR. The CPCR Act does not envisage recommendations being addressed to concerned authorities or the government by non-office bearers and the NCPCR’s letter raises questions about the appropriateness of such delegation of power.

In the light of the above concerns, we the undersigned:

1. Strongly condemn this letter from the NCPCR and demand immediate withdrawal of the said letter; 2. Demand that the report on the social audit of CCIs be made available on the NCPCR’s website immediately and inputs be invited from various stakeholders including children on improving the functioning of CCIs; 3. Emphasise that the principles and procedures related to restoration of children in the juvenile justice system have to be adhered to and applied based on procedures provided under the JJ Act, 2015 and Rules as applicable in each State. A monitoring authority like the NCPCR cannot usurp executive functions or make recommendations that are contrary to the JJ Act, 2015 and the CPCR Act, 2005; 4. Urge all State Governments to ensure adequate staff and resources to enable adherence to the JJ Act, 2015, by CWCs, so that children in CCIs are restored only after an inquiry by the CWC based on the social investigation report, individual care plan, and after taking into consideration children’s views and reports prepared by the counsellors, social workers or welfare officers in the CCIs or from experts or an NGO authorized to work with the District Child Protection Units or the respective CCI; 5. Urge the Ministry of Women and Child Development and Parliament to ensure that all reports of the NCPCR pertaining to matters of special significance and security of children are placed before them for suitable action and released in the public domain; 6. Further urge the Ministry of Women and Child Development to treat the social audit report mentioned in the letter as a Special Report of the Commission under Section 16 of the CPCR Act, 2005, which should be laid before each House of Parliament.

Open letter initiated by:

1. All India Network of Individuals and NGOs working with National and State Human Rights Institutions (AiNNI) 2. Enfold Proactive Health Trust 3. HAQ: Centre for Child Rights 4. People’s Watch

5 Endorsed by:

S. Name Organisation/Independent City/State No. 1 A. Mangaiyarkarasi Independent Madurai 2 A. Mangalam Independent Madurai 3 A. Muthukumar Reaching The Unreached Theni 4 A. Muthupandi Reaching The Unreached G. Kallupatti 5 A. Packialakshmi Independent Theni 6 A. Rajalakshmi Independent Theni 7 A. Saranya Independent Coimbatore 8 A. Sekar Independent Madurai 9 A. Selva rani Independent Chennai 10 A. Udhayakumar Independent Theni 11 A.Gandhiyammal Independent Theni 12 A.Sivalingam Independent Madurai 13 A.Suneetha Independent Hyderabad 14 Aalima Zaidi AALI Lucknow 15 Aasha Ramesh Independent Bengaluru 16 Aatreyee RTE Forum HP Kangra 17 Abi Independent Coimbatore 18 Abinaya.L Independent Coimbatore 19 Abitha Lady Doak College Madurai Association For Promotion 20 Adhana Adhana Hansi Sustainable Development 21 Adhappan Independent Pudukkottai 22 Aditi P Kaur Mountain Children's Foundation Dehradun 23 Adv. Anjali Pawar Sakhee Pune 24 Ajisha Independent Coimbatore 25 Akila R S Independent Chennai 26 Alagarsamy Independent Dindigul 27 Alagurani Reaching The Unreached Theni

6 28 Ali Hasan Little India Foundation Delhi 29 Ambika Independent Madurai 30 Amit Kumar sinha Jamghat - a group of street children Delhi 31 Amit Bhaduri Independent Delhi 32 Amita Joseph BCF Delhi 33 Amuthamani.A Independent Trichy 34 Amuthasuresh Independent Theni 35 Anand Benjamin Hands of Compassion Narasaraopet 36 Anand raj Independent Singapore 37 Andal Damodaran Independent Chennai Angel Ratchanya 38 Independent Madurai Priyadharshini. R 39 Anil Kumar Sharma Independent Patna 40 Anjana Mangalagiri Independent Delhi 41 Anjaneyulu Madduluri Independent Hyderabad 42 Anna Mery. A Independent Theni 43 Annadurai Child Voice Dindigul 44 Annie Namala Wada Na Todo Abhiyan Delhi 45 Antara Dev Sen Independent Delhi 46 Antony Independent Theni 47 Antony Independent Dindigul 48 Antony Paulsamy Reaching The Unreached Theni 49 Aquinas Edassery Independent Bhawanipatna 50 Arjun Independent Theni 51 Arlene Manoharan Enfold Proactive Health Trust Bengaluru 52 Arockia Doss Delasalle Brothers Madurai 53 Arul Arockiammal Independent Dindigul 54 Arul Santosh Imagine India Chennai 55 Arul viji Independent Dindigul 56 Arulmary Independent Tutucurin 57 Arun Independent Theni

7 58 Arun Independent Dindigul 59 Arun Independent Dindigul 60 Arun Dohle Against Child Trafficking (ACT) Pune 61 Arun kumar Kadhabam Trust Madurai Madurai 62 Arun kumar The American College Madurai 63 Arun Kumar. V Independent Madurai 64 Aruna M Independent Chennai 65 Arundevid Independent Dindigul 66 Arunmai Rainbow homes Hyderabad 67 Arvind Independent Dindigul 68 Arvind Independent Dindigul 69 Asaipandiammal Independent Theni 70 Asha Kayina Independent Chennai 71 Ashika Shetty Independent Bengaluru 72 Ashish Kumar HAQ: Centre for Child Rights Delhi All India Union of Forest Working 73 Ashok Choudhary Saharanpur, UP People (AIUFWP) 74 Ashok Kumar Dr A V Baliga Memorial Trust Delhi 75 Atiya Bose Aangan Mumbai 76 Avantika Srivastava Independent Lucknow Government college of Engineering- 77 B. Nithya Theni Srirangam 78 B. Prabakaran Independent Madurai 79 B.Girija Devi Independent Hyderabad 80 B.Lalitha Independent Coimbatore 81 B.suganyakarthick Independent Batlagundu 82 B.Violet Jeba Rani Independent Dindigul 83 Babli Singh AALI Ranchi 84 Babu Independent Chennai 85 Babu Rainbow Foundation India Hyderabad 86 Bader Sayeed Independent Chennai

8 Bhubaneswar, 87 Baghambar Pattanaik Anti-Slavery India Odisha 88 Balaji Independent Theni 89 Balakrishnan Ramasamy Independent Theni 90 Balasubramanian Independent Theni 91 Balasundari Reaching The Unreached Genguvarpatty 92 Banamali Montry Rainbow Foundation India Hyderabad 93 Banukutty Independent Theni 94 Barati Piche Mani Independent Chennai 95 Benitta Independent Nagarkovil 96 Berlin Monisha V S Independent Madurai 97 Bethuraj Independent Theni 98 Bhanuja Sharan Lal MSEMVS Varanasi 99 Bharti Ali HAQ: Centre for Child Rights Delhi 100 Bharti Sharma Shakti Shalini Delhi 101 Bhavani Independent Sivaganga 102 Bhubaneswari Independent Dindigul 103 Bimla Chandrasekaran Ekta Jagatsinghpur, 104 Bisweswari Mohanty CWC Odisha 105 Bondita Acharya Purva Bharati Educational Trust Jorhat, Assam 106 Booma Independent Tiruvarur 107 Boopathi Raja Independent Theni 108 Brindhadevi Reaching The Unreached Salem 109 C. Jeyachithra Independent Madurai 110 C. Muthulakshmi Independent Theni 111 C. Vasanth Independent Coimbatore 112 Ch. Narendra Independent Hyderabad 113 Chandhini Ibrahim Al habrick Theni 114 Charu WaliKhanna SAFMA Delhi 115 Childch Independent Madurai

9 116 Chithra Sri Ramakrishna Hospital Coimbatore 117 Chiyannari Independent Madurai 118 Christ Raj Paycho Trust Karur 119 Cithra.N Independent Coimbatore 120 D Ananda Rao Independent Bapatla 121 D. Umamaheswari Independent Theni 122 Dadenwilson Independent Theni 123 Damodaran Independent Theni 124 Darjannedunzheliyan Save childrens Muscat Bhubaneswar, 125 Debabrta Dash Independent Odisha 126 Deborah Counsel to Secure Justice Delhi 127 Deepa.S Independent Pudukottai 128 Deepika Joshi Jan Swasthya Abhiyan Raipur 129 Deepika Murali Independent Chennai 130 Deepthi Dalit Women Collective Warangal 131 Devi Independent Bodinayakanur Member Alliance for the Right to 132 Devika Singh Delhi ECD 133 Dhanalakshmi Reaching The Unreached Theni 134 Dhanalakshmi.M Independent Dindigul 135 Dharmesh Shah Independent Kumily, Kerala 136 Dhivya. K Independent Dindigul 137 Diana Independent Kodaikanal 138 Diana Thomas Independent Delhi 139 Dinesh Independent Chennai 140 Divya Independent Sivaganga 141 Divya Dhanam Independent Madurai 142 Dolon Bhattacharyya Rainbow Homes Program Hyderabad 143 Don Bosco Care Home Independent Salem, Tamil Nadu 144 Donna Fernandes Vimochana Bengaluru

10 145 Dr John Dayal AICU Delhi 146 Dr K R Antony National Health Mission Kochi 147 Dr Shikha Kapur Independent Delhi 148 Dr. Arun Gupta IBFAN South Asia 149 Dr. Desai Independent Theni 150 Dr. Joseph Xavier Indian Social Institute Bengaluru 151 Dr. Kiran Kamaal Prasad JEEVIKA - Jeeta Vimukti Karnataka Bengaluru 152 Dr. Kumar Askand Pandey RMLNLU Lucknow Initiative for Health & Equity in 153 Dr. Mira Shiva Delhi Society 154 Dr. N. Paul Sunder Singh Independent Chennai 155 Dr. Pyara Lal Garg JSA Punjab 156 Dr. Rajapandian Independent Theni 157 Dr. Rouf M Malik KOSHISH Srinagar Dr. S. Kalaivani 158 LADY DOAK COLLEGE Madurai Priyadarshini Masya-Mewat Shiksha Evam Vikas 159 Dr. Virendra Vidrohi Alwar Sansthan Alwar, Rajasthan 160 Dr.C.Jim Jesudoss Vidiyal Madurai 161 Dr.K.Shanmugavelayutham FORYOUCHILD Chennai 162 Dr.Mohan Rao Independent Bengaluru 163 Edwina Pereira independent Bengaluru 164 Elamurugu M Independent Madurai 165 Enakshi Ganguly Independent Delhi 166 Eswaramoorthy Independent Coimbatore 167 Fahimuddin Centre for Child Protection - Jaipur Jaipur 168 Farooq Siddiqui Khadim e Insaniyat Foundation Delhi 169 Firoz Independent Delhi 170 Fr. Alfred Paul Don Bosco Berhampore, Odisha Don Bosco National Forum for the 171 Fr. Thomas Aquinas Delhi Young at Risk

11 Don Bosco National Forum for the 172 Fr. Tony Pellissery Delhi Young at Risk 173 Francis Colaso Independent Bengaluru 174 G .JEMIMAH JOICE Independent Madurai 175 G. Karthika Independent Coimbatore 176 G. Muthupandi Independent Dindigul 177 G. Sumama karan Independent Hyderabad 178 G. Venkateshan Independent Batlagundu 179 Ganesh Independent Chennai 180 Ganesh Moorthy. P Independent Coimbatore 181 Ganga Independent Nagarcoil 182 Gayathri Independent Batlagundu 183 Geeta Ramaseshan Independent Chennai 184 Geeta Sajjanshetty Independent Gulbarga 185 Geetha Soceite Generale Organization Bengaluru 186 Geetha C Independent Chennai 187 Geetha. B Independent Theni 188 George Pulikuthiyil Jananeethi Thrissur 189 Girija Kumarbabu Independent Chennai 190 Gnanambal Reaching The Unreached Theni 191 Gobinathan P Independent G. Kallupatti 192 Gopalakannan Independent Chennai 193 Gowthaman Independent Theni 194 Gracy Independent Dindigul 195 Greg Almeida Don Bosco Balprafulta Mumbai 196 Gudiya kumari Independent sitamarhi 197 Gunasekaran Independent Dindigul 198 H. Maria Glory Sisters of the Good Shepherd Nagpur 199 Harleen Walia Independent Delhi 200 Harsimar Chawla Little India Foundation Delhi 201 Harun Independent G. Kallupatti

12 202 Hazel Lobo Independent Mumbai 203 Himanshu Gupta Independent Bathinda Lungnila Elizabeth School of social 204 Hingba Senapati work COPHEE (Center for Public Health 205 Hrusikesh Panda Jajpur and Environment Education ) 206 Hyra Raju Independent Bapatla 207 Ilakkiya Independent Madurai 208 Ilamaran Independent Chennai 209 Ilamathi Independent Madurai 210 Irin Ganga Independent Nagarcovil 211 Irudaya rani Independent Theni 212 J. B. Oli Butterflies Delhi 213 J. Francis Antony Independent G. Kallupatti 214 J. Meena Independent Theni 215 J. Vinothini Independent Sivagangai 216 Jacqueline Monisha Independent Dindigul 217 Jai Ganesh Independent Chennai 218 James Milton Independent Sivagangai 219 Janaga Moorthi Independent Madurai 220 Janaki Sankaran Dil Se Cochin 221 Jancey Chaithanya Bengaluru 222 Javahar Independent Tirupur Indian Muslims for Secular 223 Javed Anand Mumbai Democracy (IMSD) 224 Jawahar.T Independent Chennai 225 Jawakar Independent Theni 226 Jaya Iyer Independent Delhi 227 Jaya Vel Independent Theni 228 Jayaseelan Independent Chennai 229 Jegadhees Independent Madurai

13 230 Jenifer Independent Trichy 231 Jenisa Independent Ariyalur 232 JenithaMary Independent Batlagundu 233 Jenson Don Bosco Welfare Society, Kochi Ernakulam 234 Jesu sharmila Independent Madurai 235 Jeya Independent Thirupur 236 Jeya Senthil Independent Madurai 237 Jeya. l Independent Thirupur 238 Jeyanthi.I Independent Dindigul 239 Jeyapriya Independent Kallakurichi 240 Joe Prabhu Don Bosco Anbu Illam Thiruvallur 241 John Kumar K Social Watch - Tamilnadu Chennai 242 Joseph Independent Dindigul 243 Josephine Independent Batlagundu 244 Josephine Mary Independent Theni 245 Jothi SJ Right To Food / Work West Bengal Kolkata 246 Justin Kumar Independent Chennai 247 Jyoti Dasgupta A.H.M TRUST Madurai 248 Jyotsna Jha CBPS Bengaluru 249 K K Tripathy Independent Delhi Women and Transgender Organisatie 250 K. Sajaya Hyderabad JAC 251 K. Senbagam Independent Sriperampathur 252 K. Senthilkumar Suthanthiram Theni 253 K.Anuradha Rainbow Foundation India Hyderabad 254 K. Jeyaraman Independent Madurai Tiruvallur, Tamil 255 K.Murthy Pasumai Trust Nadu 256 K.Priyanka Independent Theni 257 K.Rahul Kanth Independent Madurai 258 K. Suganya Independent Madurai

14 259 Kalai Selvi Independent Batlagundu 260 Kalaivani Independent Madurai 261 Kalpana Purushothaman Independent Bengaluru 262 Kamya Aggarwal Independent Delhi 263 Kanaklata Kumari AALI Ranchi 264 Kanchan Kumari Independent Sitamarhi 265 Kaneez Fathima Independent Hyderabad Grameen Vikash Shodh Avam 266 Kanhaiya Puri Tonk Takniki Kendra Pachewar 267 Kanimozhi R Independent Chennai 268 Kanipriya Independent Oddanchatram 269 Kannan. J Independent Theni 270 Kannan.l Independent Theni 271 Kannayiram Subramanian Independent Tiruvallur 272 Karthi Independent Thanjavur 273 Karthigamahalingam Independent Madurai 274 Karthik Independent Thiruvallur 275 Karthik Raja P Independent Nilakottai 276 Kaumudi Nagaraju Learning Space Foundation Hyderabad 277 Kavita Independent Chandigarh 278 Kesavaraja Independent Chennai Association for Rural Community Krishnagiri district, 279 Keshavraj Development Tamil Nadu 280 Kiran Negi HESCO Dehradun 281 Kirity Roy MASUM Kolkata 282 Kokila Independent Theni 283 Komala Rangaswamy Rainbow Foundation India Bengaluru 284 Kowsalya Independent Theni 285 Kowsalya Sekar Independent Coimbatore 286 Kowsalya.K Independent Dindigul 287 Kota Ramesh Forum For Street Children Secunderabad

15 288 Krinna Shah Independent Surat 289 Krishnakant Chauhan PUCL Surat 290 Krishnamoorthy Independent Namakkal 291 Krishnamoorthy K. The American College Madurai 292 Krishnaveni.S St. Peter's Higher Secondary School G. Kallupatti 293 Kumar Shailabh HAQ: Centre for Child Rights Delhi 294 Kumar.S Independent Theni 295 Kumaravel. S Independent Madurai 296 L.Mariya Independent Vellore 297 Lakshmi priya Independent Theni 298 Lalita Ramdas Independent Alibag 299 Lalitha Independent Batlagundu 300 Lavanya M. Independent Dindigul 301 Lawrence Independent Kanyakumari 302 Leena Independent Patna 303 Leyandar Yesu A Independent Coimbatore 304 Lingam Lingam Independent Coimbatore Centre for Education and 305 Lokesh Delhi Communication 306 Lourdhu Raj Independent Dindigul 307 M. Abirami Independent Coimbatore 308 M. Kanjanadevi Independent Erode 309 M. Lalitha Independent Theni 310 M. Mandakini Independent Hyderabad 311 M. Parthiban Independent Chennai 312 M. Periyasamy Independent G. Kallupatti 313 M. Praveena Reaching The Unreached Theni 314 M. Senthilselvi Independent Sivagangai 315 M. Sevvanthi Independent Sivagangai 316 M. Shankar DEEPS Dharmapuri 317 M. Vimaladevi Independent Madurai

16 318 M.kirusha devi Independent Periyakulam 319 M.Muthupriya Independent Coimbatore 320 M. Sairam Kumar Independent Keelavayali (SNKL) 321 M.Subhacine Independent Madurai 322 M.Sudha Independent Madurai 323 M.Tamilselvi Independent Tamil Nadu 324 Madhu Bhaduri Independent Delhi 325 Madhu Mehra Partners for Law in Development Delhi 326 Madhuveena. G Reaching The Unreached G. Kallupatti 327 Maharukh Adenwalla Independent Mumbai 328 Mahendran Independent Theni 329 Mahesh Menon Independent Chennai 330 Maheshwari Independent Thirumayam 331 Makvi Independent Madurai 332 Malvendhiran Independent Hosur 333 Mamta Independent Delhi 334 Mamta Singh Independent Lucknow 335 Manikandan Independent Theni 336 Manimegalai Independent Theni 337 Manoj Kumar Independent Tirupur 338 Maria Arockiasamy Reaching The Unreached Periyakulam 339 Maria Princy Independent Dindigul 340 Marutha Muthu Independent Dindigul 341 Maya Sharma Vikalp (Women's Group) Vadodara 342 Meena independent Madurai 343 Meera Good Shepherd Bengaluru 344 Melodijesus Independent Theni 345 Mercy St. Martha's Hospital, Bangalore Bengaluru 346 Meri Independent Madurai Merugumolu Stephen CHRIST ORPHAN CENTER 347 Guntur Sunder MINISTRIES - COCM

17 348 Milton Independent Sivagangai 349 Minal Chheda Independent Gandhinagar 350 Minal Chouhan Independent London 351 Mishma Independent Selam 352 Miss Janani Independent batlagundu 353 Mohamed Sheik Ibrahim S A.H.M TRUST Theni Ringwood, NJ & 354 Mohammad imran Independent Lucknow India 355 Mohan Independent Nilakottai 356 Mohandas Independent Theni 357 Mohanpraksh Independent Thoothukudi 358 Monika Independent Theni 359 Mounesh Independent Karur 360 Mridula Mukherjee Jawaharlal Nehru University Delhi 361 Mukti Bosco Independent Hyderabad 362 Muneesarjunan Independent Dindigul National Platform for the Rights of 363 Muralidharan Delhi the Disalbed 364 Murugan Independent Theni 365 Murugeswari Independent Dindigul 366 Muthu Independent Dindigul 367 Muthukumaran. M Reaching The Unreached Theni 368 Muthunaru Independent Rajapalayam 369 Muthupandi Independent Theni 370 Muvina Selvakumar Independent Madurai 371 N Akalyayuvasari Suryan FM Madurai 372 N. Chithra Independent Coimbatore 373 N. Karthick Independent Madurai 374 N. Ponni Lady Doak College Madurai 375 N. Prabha Independent Dindigul 376 N. Rajendra Prasad Independent Kodaikanal

18 377 Nagaraja Independent Dindigul 378 Nagaraja Independent Theni 379 Nagarajan Independent Theni 380 Nagarathna BM Mahila Shakthi forum Ramanagara 381 Nalini Juneja Independent Delhi Centre for Social Education and Avinashi, Tirupur 382 Nambi Chelliah Development (CSED) District, Tamil Nadu 383 Nandhini Reaching The Unreached Chennai St. Stephen's College, Delhi 384 Nandita Narain Delhi University 385 Nandita Shah Independent Mumbai 386 Nanthini Independent Madurai 387 Narayanan Durai Independent Theni 388 Narkis Banu . S Independent Madurai 389 Nathiya Independent Chennai 390 Navaneethan Independent Dindigul 391 Neena Vyas Independent Delhi 392 Nicole Rangel Leher Delhi 393 Nimisha Srivastava Counsel to Secure Justice Delhi 394 Nina P Nayak Independent Bengaluru 395 Niranjanaa Independent Theni 396 Nirmala Pandey UNICEF Delhi 397 Nithyaarputharaj Independent Tutucurine 398 Niti Saxena Independent Lucknow 399 Nivetha Independent Coimbatore 400 Owais Wani KOSHISH Srinagar 401 P. Esther Rani Independent Periyakulam 402 P. Ajay Joseph Reaching The Unreached G. Kallupatti 403 P. Alagurani Independent Viridhunagar 404 P. Dhanalakshmi. Independent Theni 405 P. Jayalakshmi Independent Dhevathanapatti

19 406 P. Pappathi Independent Theni 407 P. Ponnuthai Independent Periyakulam 408 P. Sathya Independent Coimbatore 409 P. Vetrivelmurugan Independent Coimbatore 410 P.A.Savariammal Independent Theni 411 P.Ajay joseph Reaching The Unreached G. Kallupatti 412 P.Amudha Reaching The Unreached G. Kallupatti 413 P.Antony Raj Reaching The Unreached G. Kallupatti 414 P. Chinnadurai Independent Periyakulam B. Dharamathupatti 415 P.Ganesan A.H.M TRUST Tamil Nadu 416 P. James Mary Independent Putukottai 417 P. Maasi Reaching The Unreached G. Kallupatti 418 P. Tamilpandi Independent Madurai 419 Padmaja Shaw Osmania University Hyderabad 420 Padmanabhan Independent Chennai 421 Palani Kumar Independent Theni 422 Palpandian Independent Chennai 423 Pandeeswari Reaching The Unreached Theni 424 Pandi Independent Theni 425 Pandi J Independent Tirupur 426 Pandian Independent Theni 427 Pandiyarajan. M Independent Mathurai 428 Parimalam Independent Theni 429 Parminder Singh Independent Patiala 430 Pavithra Independent Tamil Nadu 431 Pavithran Independent Theni 432 Pavithran G Independent Chennai 433 Pavitra Independent Dindigul 434 Pawan Kumar Independent Sitamarhi 435 Peter Independent Salem, Tamil Nadu

20 436 Poonam Batra Delhi University Delhi 437 Pouvizhi Independent Madurai 438 Prabakaran Balasubramanian Independent Madurai 439 Prabhu Independent Madurai 440 Prabhu Thaveethu Independent Tamil Nadu 441 Pradeep Independent Theni 442 Prakash Independent Chennai 443 Prakash Independent Theni Bhubaneswar, 444 Prakash K Rath Independent Odisha 445 Pranav Societe generale Bengaluru 446 Prasad Chacko Independent Ahmedabad 447 Prasanthi Deeksha Hyderabad BEATITUDES SOCIAL 448 Prasath Chennai WELFARE CENTRE 449 Praveen Arora Independent Delhi 450 Praveena Independent Chennai 451 Preetha Independent Periyakylam 452 Preeti Rainbow Foundation India Hyderabad 453 Prema Independent Mathurai 454 Prema Independent Coimbatore 455 Priti Child Rights and You Delhi 456 Priti Patkar Independent Mumbai 457 Priya Independent Theni 458 Priya Independent Dindigul 459 Priya Independent Madurai 460 Priyanka. A Independent Coimbatore 461 Prof.Asha Rane Independent Mumbai 462 Psanthakumar Independent Madurai 463 Pushpa Louis Sisters of the Good Shepherd Nagpur 464 Pushpa Meenatchi Independent Sivaganga

21 465 Pushparani Manikandan Independent Theni People's Action for Rural awakening 466 Puthenpura Job Ravulapalem (PARA) 467 R Esai Mini Pooja Independent Madurai 468 R Manimaran Independent Theni 469 R Srivatsan Independent Secunderabad 470 R. Gousalya devi Independent Madurai 471 R. Jeyakarthik Independent Madurai 472 R. Karthic Independent Coimbatore 473 R. Mahesh Independent Nadurai 474 R. Maheshwari Independent Coimbatore 475 R. Selvi Reaching The Unreached Theni Trust is helping for all children's and 476 R.Lavanya Erode orphan children 477 R.Manimegalai Independent Theni 478 R.Pandimeena Independent Madurai 479 R.Pavithra Independent Madurai 480 R.Premalatha Independent Madurai 481 R.Sanjaikumar Independent Chennai 482 R.Sunil Independent Coimbatore 483 R.Yuvaraj Independent Dindigul 484 Radha Holla Independent Noida 485 Radhakohilaveni R Independent Bodinayakanur 486 RADHIKA DESAI Independent Hyderabad 487 Raghland Daniel The Satkaarya Trust Chennai 488 Raghu Tewari AMAN Almora 489 Raghunandhan. P Reaching The Unreached G. Kallupatti 490 Raja Independent Dindigul 491 Raja Kannan Independent Theni 492 Rajalakshmi Independent Srivilliputhur 493 Rajapandi Independent Dindigul

22 494 Rajaram P Independent Thoothukudi 495 Rajasekaran Independent Theni 496 Ram Independent 497 Ram Mohan NVS HELP Ongole 498 Ramesh Awasthi MASUM Pune 499 Ramu Independent Madur 500 Ramya. M Independent Manapparai 501 Ranganath D Aashray Foundation Hyderabad 502 Ranjana Singh Mertia Independent Jodhpur Uthamapalayam, 503 Rasamadathi Independent theni 504 Rashiya Independent Bodi 505 Rathnavathi Reaching The Unreached Batlagundu 506 Ravi Rebbapragada Samata Visakhapatnam 507 Rayan francis J Independent Theni India Alliance For Child Rights 508 Razia Sultan Ismail Delhi (IACR) 509 Reeta Kaushik Samudaik Gorakhpur 510 Renu Mishra Independent Lucknow 511 Resi Joseph Good Shepherd convent Mumbai 512 Revathi Independent Coimbatore 513 Revathi Independent Dindigul 514 Riddhi Khandhar Independent Mumbai 515 Rita Panicker Butterflies Delhi 516 Ritu Mehra Independent Delhi 517 Riyal Ranjith Independent Dindigul 518 Rosamma Thomas Independent Pune 519 Roseleen Vincent Independent Theni 520 RS Ismail WeCan Women's Coalition Trust Delhi 521 Ruth Alice Thomas Independent Bengaluru 522 S Ananthakumar Reaching The Unreached Theni

23 523 S Karunakaran Reaching The Unreached Theni 524 S. Eswaramoorthi Independent Theni 525 S. Kumaravel Independent Madurai 526 S. Muthukamatchi Independent City 527 S. Poornima Independent Dindigul 528 S. Surush Independent Theni 529 S.Arasi Independent Theni 530 S.Gokilavani Reaching The Unreached Theni 531 S.Jayacithra Independent Coimbatore 532 S.Moham People's Watch Madurai Tamil Nadu Madurai 533 S.NagaRaj Independent Coimbatore 534 S.Pandeeshwari Independent Sivagangai 535 S.Q.Masood Independent Hyderabad 536 S.Sugasinidevi Independent Chennai 537 S.Thangamadasamy Independent Coimbatore 538 S.Vishwasarathy Independent Theni 539 Sabina Khatoon Independent Sitamarhi 540 Sachi Maniar Ashiyana Foundation Mumbai 541 Sampath Kumar M Uyirootal Trust Shoolagiri 542 Samsankar Reaching The Unreached G. Kallupatti 543 Sandeep Khare Vigyan Foundation Lucknow 544 Sandhiya Independent Jharkhand 545 Sangavi Independent Theni 546 Sangeeta Rege Cehat Mumbai 547 Sangeetha Independent Chennai Commonwealth Human Rights 548 Sanjoy Hazarika Delhi Initiative (CHRI) 549 Sanmugam Independent Theni 550 Saranya Independent Theni 551 Saranya. S independent Coimbatore 552 Saravanan Independent Chennai

24 553 Saroj Kumar Independent Sitamarhi Bhubaneswar, 554 Sasanka Kumar Padhi RUPAYAAN Odisha 555 Satheesh kumar.v Independent Chennai 556 Sathish Independent Coimbatore 557 Sathya People's Watch Madurai 558 Sathyabama.S Independent Munnar 559 Satish Chowdary Chandra Helping hands humanity Hyderabad 560 Helping Hands Humanity CHSJ Delhi 561 Satyavati Independent Hyderabad 562 Saulina Arnold Independent Chennai 563 Seethalakshmi Independent Madurai 564 Seethalakshmi V RTU Arul Malar Primary School Genguvarpatti 565 Selva rani Independent Chennai 566 Selva rani Independent Chennai 567 Selvakumar Thiruppathi Independent Madurai 568 Selvi Independent Theni 569 Selvi. M Independent Coimbatore 570 Sendrayan Independent Theni 571 Senthil Independent Theni 572 Shahbaz Khan Shervani Independent Gloucester 573 Shalini Gera PUCL Chhattisgarh Bilaspur 574 Shalini Vats Kimta H P Mahila Kalyan Mandal HP Kullu, Sarwari 575 Shampa Sengupta Sruti Disability Rights Centre Kolkata 576 Shanmuga Latha Independent Madurai 577 Shantha Independent Tripur 578 Shanthi Rajasekar Reaching The Unreached Theni 579 Shanthirajasekar Independent Villupuram 580 Sharanya Independent Koraput 581 Sharma Independent Coimbatore 582 Shenbagavel Independent Theni

25 583 Sherman Nathan Independent Theni 584 Shewli Kumar Tata Institute of Social Sciences Mumbai 585 Shiva Shankar IIT Bombay Chennai 586 Shobha Gupta Independent Delhi 587 Shradha Chonkar Independent Mumbai 588 Shreya Shree Independent Bengaluru 589 Shruthi Ramakrishnan Independent Bengaluru 590 Shubhangi Independent Lucknow 591 Siddharth K J Independent Bengaluru 592 Silveriya Selvi Independent Dindigul 593 Simple Chabra Little India Foundation Punjab 594 Siva Prabha Lady Doak College Madurai 595 Sivabalaji Independent Madurai 596 Sivaprakash J Independent Chennai 597 Smriti Shukla Independent Lucknow 598 Sneha A Independent Batlagundu 599 Snehal Shah Independent Delhi 600 Soria Nongtdu Loreto Rainbow Homes Kolkata 601 Sr. Annie Thomas Independent Karjat, Raigarh 602 Sr. Mary Jose Independent Mumbai 603 Sr. Nirmala Lakara Sisters of the Good Shepherd Mumbai 604 Sr. Sylvia Oliveira Independent Virar 605 Sravanthi Mutyala Warangal 606 Sreemoyee Sen Ram Mental Health Foundation, Kolkata Kolkata 607 Sri Teja Guntupalli Grama Sachivalayam Vijayawada 608 Sridhar Venkataraman Independent Chennai 609 Srilatha Independent Hyderabad 610 Srinivasan Yougendra Sarvodaya Jaffna 611 Steffi Independent Chennai 612 Stegana Jency.L.T. CCRD Chennai

26 Tamil Nadu Voluntary Health 613 Stella. M Chennai Association 614 Sterly Independent Dindigul 615 Steve Rocha NINE IS MINE Delhi 616 Suba Rani Independent Theni The Society for Social Uplift 617 Subhash Mendhapurkar kasauli Through Rural Action 618 Sudha Ramamoorthy Independent Chennai 619 Sudha Varghese Nari Gunjan Patna 620 Sudhakar G Independent Chennai 621 sudheer joel yazali Independent Guntur Centre for Labour Research and 622 Sudhir Katiyar Ahmedabad Action 623 Suganthi Good Shepherd Convent Karjat 624 Suganya J S Independent Madurai 625 Suganyakarthick Independent Batlagundu 626 Suhas Kolhekar Independent Pune 627 Suhashini Independent Dindigul 628 Sujata Madhok Independent Delhi 629 Sujata Patel Savitribai Phule Pune University Pune 630 Sukanya Independent Madurai Campaign for Discrimination Free 631 Sukhdev Vishwapremi Palampur Educational Institutions 632 Sulaiman j Independent G. Kallupatti 633 Suman Arya Little India Foundation Delhi 634 Sumathy Independent Dindigul 635 Sumitra Mishra Mobile Creches Delhi 636 Sunita Society for all round development Reodar 637 Suresh Independent Theni 638 Surinder Singh Maan MDD Bal Bhawan ( CCI ) Karnal 639 Suriya M Independent ariyalur 640 Surya Independent Madurai

27 641 Suryakant Maithani Independent Dehradun 642 Suryamani Independent Theni 643 Suryaprakash Independent Dindigul 644 Susaiyammal Independent Manapparai 645 Suthandradevi Independent Madurai 646 Swagata Raha Enfold Proactive Health Trust Bengaluru 647 Sweety Celin Mary Independent Madurai 648 Sweta Ghimirey Independent Delhi 649 Swetha Independent Dindigul B. Dharmathupatti, 650 T. Muthukrishnan A.H.M TRUST Bodinayakanur 651 T. Parimaladevi Independent Theni 652 T. Rubanya Independent Bodinayakkanur 653 T. Shanmugapriya Independent Theni 654 Tamanna HAQ: Centre for Child Rights Delhi 655 Tamilselvan. M Reaching The Unreached Madurai 656 Tara Narula Narula and Associates Delhi Good Shepherd International 657 Taskila Nicholas Nepal foundation 658 Teesta Setalvad Citizens for Justice & Peace Mumbai RTU St Peter Higher Secondary 659 Thamilselvi P Theni School 660 Therasa Independent Madurai 661 Theresa Independent Near Vijayawada 662 Thirupathy Madurai 663 Thomas Koshy Independent Hyderabad 664 U.Pavithra Independent Tamil Nadu 665 Uday Kumar Independent Theni 666 Udita Dad Independent Delhi 667 Uma Independent Mumbai 668 Uma Independent Tiruvarur

28 669 Umadevi Independent Theni 670 Umamaheswari Independent Bodi 671 Urvashi Tilak Counsel to Secure Justice Delhi 672 Usha Varghese Good Shepherd NGO Tadepalli 673 Uzma Perveen HAQ: Centre for Child Rights Delhi 674 V. Vasanthi Devi Independent Chennai 675 V.sivaranjani Independent Nagapattinam 676 Vaidehi Subramani Independent Delhi 677 Vairamani Independent Madurai 678 Vairavan Independent Dindigul 679 Vaishnavi Jayakumar Disability Rights Alliance Chennai 680 Valli Kalpana Independent Madurai 681 Vandana Prasad Independent Noida 682 Vani Subramanian Saheli Women's Resource Centre Delhi 683 Vanita Mukherjee Independent Delhi Telangana Child Rights Protection 684 Varsha Bhargavi Hyderabad Forum 685 Vasanthakumar Independent Theni 686 Vasumathi. A Reaching The Unreached Theni 687 Veena Naregal Institute of Economic Growth Delhi 688 Veerapandi Independent Coimbatore 689 Velmuruganb Independent Theni 690 Venkadeshwai Independent Theni 691 Venkataswamy Independent Hyderabad 692 Vennila Independent Madurai 693 Vidhya Independent Dindigul 694 Vidhya Salluri Religious of the Good Shepherd Kathmandu 695 Vidhya Salluri Religious of the Good Shepherd Kathmandu Tulir - Centre for the Prevention and 696 Vidya Reddy Chennai Healing of Child Sexual Abuse 697 Vidyasagar Ramamurthy Independent Chennai

29 698 Vignesh Independent Dindigul 699 Vignesh Independent Madurai 700 Vignesh Kumar Independent Theni 701 Vignesh. S Independent Theni 702 Vigneshvaran Independent Chennai 703 Vijay Prabakaran Independent Madurai 704 Vijay. A Independent Theni 705 Vijayakumar Independent Coimbatore 706 VIJAYALAKSHMI Reaching The Unreached Theni 707 Viji Ganesh Independent Chennai 708 Vinayagamoorthi Independent Pudukottai 709 Vinitha Independent Batlagundu Alpha Apperal Best Corporation Pvt. 710 Vinoth Kumar Coimbatore Ltd. 711 Vinoy Ohdar Telangana 712 Vipin Bhatt Independent Ghaziabad 713 Virgil D sami Arunodhaya Chennai 714 Vishnu Independent Bengaluru 715 Vishwajeet Ghoshal Prayas JAC Society Delhi 716 Vivek Independent Tamil Nadu 717 William Nicholas Gomes Independent York, UK 718 Yasmeen Independent Erode 719 Yasmin Rose MSI Independent Theni 720 Yuman Hussain Azad India Foundation Kishanganj 721 Yuvaraj Independent Tirruppur 722 Zishaan HAQ: Centre for Child rights Delhi 723 Youth for social welfare Hyderabad

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