Telangana CM Revanth Reddy urges collective action against child labour on World Day
Synopsis
On World Day Against Child Labour, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy and Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy issued unified calls for citizen-led action against child labour — urging every Indian to report exploitation and demanding that books, not tools, fill children's hands.
Key Takeaways
Revanth Reddy called for collective action against child labour on 12 June , World Day Against Child Labour.
He urged citizens who witness children working to report it immediately to relevant authorities.
The Telangana government reaffirmed its commitment to quality education, security, and equal opportunities for every child.
Kishan Reddy echoed the call in a post on X , emphasising education, welfare, and social empowerment.
Rights groups note that enforcement of child labour laws at the district level in Telangana remains uneven despite state-level commitments.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Friday, 12 June issued a strong call to action against child labour, urging every citizen, family, teacher, and voluntary organisation to treat its eradication as a shared social responsibility. The appeal came on the occasion of World Day Against Child Labour, observed annually on 12 June.
What the Chief Minister Said
'Childhood is the birthright of every child. The right to study, play, grow joyfully, and have opportunities to realise their dreams is a natural right of every child. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the child labour system, which robs them of these rights, has no place in society,' Revanth Reddy said in his message.
The Chief Minister stressed that child labour must not be tolerated under any circumstances. He urged citizens who witness children engaged in work to immediately report it to the relevant authorities, calling such intervention 'akin to providing them with a new future.'
Government's Commitment to Child Welfare
Revanth Reddy reaffirmed that the Telangana government is committed to ensuring every child has access to quality education, security, a healthy environment, and equal opportunities. He called on public representatives, educators, and civil society to become active partners in achieving this goal.
'In the hands of children should be books, not tools. On their shoulders should be hopes for the future, not burdens. It is our collective responsibility to build a Telangana where every child grows up laughing, learning, and dreaming,' he added.
Union Minister Joins the Call
Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy also marked the occasion, calling for a renewed national resolve to protect children's rights. In a post on X, he said: 'Childhood is meant for learning, dreaming, and growing — not labour. On World Day Against Child Labour, let us renew our resolve to protect the rights of every child and build an India where opportunity reaches every household.'
The minister added that sustained efforts in education, welfare, and social empowerment remain central to building a future where every child can thrive with dignity and hope.
Why This Day Matters
World Day Against Child Labour, observed under the aegis of the International Labour Organization (ILO), draws attention to the millions of children globally — and hundreds of thousands in India — still trapped in exploitative labour. Notably, Telangana has in recent years stepped up rescue operations and rehabilitation programmes, though rights groups argue enforcement at the district level remains uneven.
With both state and central leadership aligning on the issue, advocates hope the renewed political messaging translates into stronger on-ground action ahead of the next legislative session.
Point of View
Yet district-level compliance is patchy and rehabilitation outcomes are rarely published. The convergence of a state CM and a Union Minister on the same issue is noteworthy, but without binding targets, independent audits, and public data on rescued children, these annual appeals risk becoming ritual rather than reform. The real test is whether this year's call produces a measurable drop in child labour figures by the next ILO reporting cycle.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Telangana CM Revanth Reddy say on World Day Against Child Labour?
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy called on all citizens, families, teachers, and organisations to treat the eradication of child labour as a collective social responsibility. He urged anyone who witnesses children working to report it to the relevant authorities immediately.
When is World Day Against Child Labour observed?
World Day Against Child Labour is observed every year on 12 June. It is designated by the International Labour Organization (ILO) to raise awareness about child labour and promote efforts to eliminate it globally.
What did Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy say about child labour?
Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy posted on X calling for a renewed resolve to protect every child's rights. He emphasised that childhood is for learning and growing, not labour, and highlighted education and social empowerment as key tools.
What is the Telangana government's stated commitment on child welfare?
The Telangana government has committed to providing every child with quality education, a safe environment, and equal opportunities. CM Revanth Reddy also called on public representatives and civil society to partner in achieving these goals.
Why does child labour remain a concern in Telangana despite government efforts?
Rights groups argue that while Telangana has rescue and rehabilitation programmes in place, enforcement at the district level remains uneven. Public data on the number of children rescued and successfully rehabilitated is not consistently published, making it difficult to assess real-world impact.
