NHRC seeks report from MP govt on children used in Digvijaya Singh's yatra
Synopsis
India's apex human rights body has issued notices to Madhya Pradesh's Chief Secretary and DGP after a complaint alleged that former CM Digvijaya Singh used children — possibly for money — to raise political slogans at his yatra. The NHRC has also roped in MeitY to examine online spread of the videos, adding an unusual digital accountability dimension to the child-rights complaint.
Key Takeaways
The NHRC has taken cognisance of a complaint against former MP CM Digvijaya Singh over alleged use of children in his yatra to raise political slogans.
NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo issued notices to MP Chief Secretary Ashok Barnwal and DGP Kailash Makwana , seeking an ATR within two weeks .
The complaint alleges children may have been paid to participate, raising concerns of exploitation and violation of child-protection laws.
Krishnan has been directed to examine the alleged spread of photographs and videos of the children on social media.
Action has been taken under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 .
The NHRC stated that the allegations 'prima facie seem to be violations of the rights of the children.'
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognisance of a complaint alleging that former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh used children during his yatra and made them raise political slogans, directing the state's top officials to investigate and submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within two weeks. The notice, issued on 22 October 2026, marks a significant escalation of the controversy surrounding the yatra.
Notices Issued to Senior Officials
A bench presided over by NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo has issued formal notices to Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary Ashok Barnwal and Director General of Police (DGP) Kailash Makwana, directing them to inquire into the allegations. The NHRC has also directed Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Secretary S. Krishnan to examine the alleged use of photographs and videos of the children circulated on social media.
The action has been initiated under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, which empowers the Commission to inquire into complaints of human rights violations.
What the Complaint Alleges
According to the complaint filed before the NHRC, videos and photographs of the alleged incident were shared on Facebook on 22 October. The complainant alleged that children were brought to the yatra by offering them money and that their participation in raising political slogans violated child rights and relevant legal provisions.
The NHRC noted that the allegations made in the complaint 'prima facie seem to be violations of the rights of the children.' The apex human rights body has specifically directed authorities to investigate the allegations of monetary exchanges, describing them as raising 'serious concerns' over whether children may have been induced or exploited for financial considerations.
Key Directives from the NHRC
The Commission has outlined several specific directions in its notice. The Chief Secretary and DGP have been asked to examine violations of applicable child-protection laws and take appropriate legal action. Separately, MeitY has been roped in to scrutinise the digital spread of content involving the children — an unusual step that signals concern about potential additional harm from online circulation of such material.
The complainant had sought an investigation into the incident and strict legal action against organisers and all persons responsible for involving children in the political activity.
Background and Broader Context
The use of minors in political campaigns and processions has been a recurring concern for child rights bodies in India. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act and related laws prohibit exploiting children for any purpose, including political mobilisation. This is not the first time an NHRC notice has been issued in connection with children at political events — similar interventions have occurred in previous election cycles across multiple states.
The Madhya Pradesh government and the DGP's office are now under a two-week clock to respond. All eyes will be on whether the state authorities treat this as a substantive child-rights matter or offer a procedural reply that the NHRC finds insufficient.
Point of View
If established, would shift this from a procedural violation to potential exploitation of minors — a far graver category under Indian law. Equally notable is the decision to loop in MeitY, signalling that the Commission views the digital amplification of such content as an independent harm requiring regulatory scrutiny. Madhya Pradesh authorities now face a test of institutional credibility: a cursory ATR risks a second, sharper notice, while a thorough inquiry could set a precedent that constrains political events across party lines. The broader pattern of children being mobilised at political gatherings remains insufficiently policed across India, and this case may force belated enforcement attention.
NationPress
22 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What action has the NHRC taken over children at Digvijaya Singh's yatra?
The NHRC has issued notices to Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary Ashok Barnwal and DGP Kailash Makwana, directing them to inquire into allegations that children were used to raise political slogans at the yatra and submit an ATR within two weeks. MeitY has also been directed to examine the spread of related photographs and videos.
What does the complaint against Digvijaya Singh's yatra allege?
The complaint alleges that children were brought to the yatra — possibly by offering them money — and made to raise political slogans, in violation of child rights and applicable legal provisions. Videos and photographs of the alleged incident were reportedly shared on Facebook on 22 October.
Under which law has the NHRC initiated this action?
The NHRC has initiated action under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, which empowers the Commission to inquire into complaints alleging violations of human rights.
Why has MeitY been directed to act in this matter?
MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan has been directed to examine the alleged online use and circulation of photographs and videos featuring the children involved. The NHRC's inclusion of MeitY signals concern about potential additional harm caused by the digital spread of such content.
What happens if the Madhya Pradesh government does not respond within two weeks?
The NHRC has directed the Chief Secretary and DGP to furnish an ATR within two weeks for the Commission's perusal. If authorities fail to respond adequately, the NHRC can issue further notices or escalate its inquiry under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
