TV to get child-friendly

Rights’ body to relook rules on child artistes

New Delhi, March. 11: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights will relook its guidelines for child participants of television shows following the recent controversy over singer Papon kissing a minor contestant of a reality programme.

The child rights body had last month received a complaint against Angarag Papon Mahanta alleging “sexual assault” by him after a video of the singer kissing the contestant went viral.

“Our guidelines for child participants of TV shows were framed in 2011 before the Juvenile Justice Act of 2015 and the Prevention of Child Sexual Offences Act of 2012 as well as the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act of 2016. We will revise our guidelines in consonance with the new legislations,” NCPCR chairperson Stuti Kacker said.

The incident involving the popular singer took place during a pre-Holi celebration where Papon and a few children participating in the reality show were interacting with fans through a Facebook live video.

The Child Labour Amendment Act prohibits the engagement of children in all occupations and of adolescents in hazardous occupations and process.

However, the Act allows children to work in a family enterprise if it is a non-hazardous occupation as well as permits them to work as artistes in an entertainment industry. — PTI

National commission for protection of child rights had received a complaint against singer Papon alleging “sexual assault” after he allegedly kissed a minor on a music show.