Trinamool candidate violated child rights: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's family

KOLKATA: A section of family members of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose has complained against Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha candidate Sugata Bose, also a Netaji kin, to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights accusing him of violating child rights by using a kid in his poll campaign. "He has been seen campaigning accompanied by a child (about 10-12 years old) dressed in a military uniform. Photographic evidence is available with us," a letter written by members of the Bose family to NCPCR chairperson Kushal Singh claimed.

Under the banner of "The Open Platform for Netaji", they alleged that Sugata Bose was subjecting a child to potential risks by parading him in military uniform in an election environment. They complained that it is a violation of the principle of child protection and militates against key provisions of NPCR's citizen's charter concerning child protection and safety.

"Since a core mandate of your commission is to inquire into complaints of violations of child rights and recommend initiation of proceedings in such cases, we are hopeful that you will look into this matter without delay," the letter said. Sugata, a Harvard University professor and Netaji's grandnephew, is contesting on a TMC ticket from Jadavpur Lok Sabha constituency.

The family members had recently objected to his using the name of Netaji and his slogans to woo voters. In a recent letter to the Election Commission, they also alleged that Bose had been conducting his poll campaign in Jadavpur constituency accompanied by a child, wearing spectacles and uniform like Netaji. They had demanded that the name of Netaji should not be used for political campaigns and to seek power.