more evidences on BT cotton child labour

Sting Operation Compelled 
NCPCR to Visit Gujarat

vadi pratap (age 12)

In a letter to the chairperson, National Commission for Protection of Child Right (NCPCR), New Delhi, Rajesh Solanki of the Dalit Hak Rakshak Manch (DHRM), has provided more evidence in support of child labour in BT cotton fields of North Gujarat. This comes at a time when the Gujarat government has vehemently denied any existence of child labour in BT cotton in any part of the state.

Solanki, who has been the chief campaigner for eradication of child labour in BT cotton fields, has said that “the recent sting operation carried by DHRM activists in the fields of BT cotton in villages of districts Sabarkantha and Banaskantha has unearthed brutal face of exploitation.” The operation was carried out as the NCPCR, which was supposed to send its delegation to investigate into complaints of child labour in BT cotton fields, put off its visit to Gujarat on suggestion from the state government. 


He added, “Our camera team risked their lives, and taken photographs and recorded interviews of child labourers who have been imprisoned since fifty days.” In his “conservative estimate”, there are around one lakh child labourers at present working in the the BT Cotton fields of Gujarat.

bundadiya naresh (age 11)

One of the photographs is from village Ravel (taluka Diodar, district Banaskantha),  of 11-year-old Bundadia Naresh Oganabhai, and 10 labourers and at least four child labourers. They all have come from village Jijnat (near Poshina), taluka Khedbrahma, district Sabarkantha. Originally they were told that after five days they could return; now they are forced to work in the field”, Sonanki’s letter says. His 12-year-old brother Bundadia Kiran Udabhai, is working in the farm of one Mali Sukhaji Ganeshji.

“The second sting operation in district Sabarkantha has revealed that here farmers are importing child labourers from tribal district of Panchmahal”, says Solanki, adding, “Four children are working in the farm of one Hira Reva Patel of village Idar (taluka Idar, district Sabarkantha). They are Bamaniya Piyush Maknabhai (10 years), Vadi Arjun Chimanbhai (8 years), Vadi Pratap Ishvarbhai (12 years) and Vadi Naresh Babubhai (15 years). They all belong to village Santrampur (taluka Santrampur, district Panchmahals).”

"it id not easy to enter any BT
Cotton field in any village of
gujarat..."

The senior activist further says, “For a curious visitor, it is not easy to enter any BT Cotton field in any village of Gujarat. Watchful eyes of farmers and mates (agents who bring children to farms) constantly observe outsiders who dare to enter the serfdom of vibrant Gujarat. Any motor car entering dusty lanes of village is seen with stinging suspicion. If they know somebody has come to see children, the car may be welcomed with stones. Here, the word ‘government’ is like a rodent, which is supposed to be killed.”

The DHRM has been insisting for the intervention of the NCPCR in the matter. However, says Solanki, “The government of Gujarat is not serious on this issue. This year also on the last moment Government of Gujarat succeeded in cancelling the visit of NCPCR team in Gujarat. Now, the season of BT cotton is coming to an end. On the basis of our evidences, the NCPCR may institute inquiry (as it had done last year) to any renowned, qualified child right activist, who will stretch the pious investigation up to next year!”

(courtesy: counterview.org, September 23, 2011)