Capsule Kerala complaints over 'abusive' temple rituals on children
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Palakkad: Capsule (Campaign Against Pseudo Science Using Law and Ethics), an initiative of the Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad, filed a complaint with the Kerala Child Rights Commission, demanding appropriate action against the acts of injuring and harming children's bodies in the name of rituals in Kerala temples arguing that the same are violations of child rights.
As part of many temple festivals, child abuse such as Garudan Thookam and Shoolam Kuthu (skewering of cheek, tongue etc.) takes place, Capsule said, adding that many are kept as exhibits for hours without even being given basic treatment.
Ordinarily, the same act is a chargeable offence under Sections 323 and 324 of the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of the Juvenile Justice Act. Such acts of torture are newly started in most festivals or newly added to the earlier ones, Capsule Kerala said in its complaint.
It requested the Child Rights Commission to intervene appropriately in the matter.