The suicide of a 17-yr-old girl Hindu child in Thirukattupalli, Ariyalur district due to alleged forceful conversion and subsequent torture due to non-conversion, has shaken social media to shackles. Many has trended #JusticeforLavanya on Twitter, after the child lost her life. She was a student of the Sacred Hearts Hr. Sec. School, Thirukaatupalli, Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu.
Not many media houses even paid attention to this incident to start with. Even some like Times of India, that covered the news, made it secular, without revealing that the child was subjected to torture like cleaning toilets, because she refused to convert to Christianity. However, netizens came together to bring people’s attention to this incident.
Legal activism organization Legal Right Protection Forum filed a complaint with the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), and also shared the video of the child’s testimony. In response, the chairman of NCPCR, Priyank Kanoongo, has issued a notice to DGP of Tamil Nadu to take action immediately.
The Commission found that there is prima facie contravention of Art 25 & 28(3) of Indian Constitution, provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 and various provisions under IPC. It has sought an FIR to be registered under relevant sections as per law and has also asked to submit an action taken report within 07 days of receipt of the letter.
Following our complaint, @NCPCR_ issued notice to DGP-TamilNadu to take immediately necessary action in the matter of suicide committed by minor Hindu girl due to pressure mounted by Sacred Heart Hr. Sec. School, Tirukattupalli in order to convert her to Christianity. (1/n) https://t.co/YTw7EMfHaf pic.twitter.com/A0jr5AgTrC
— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) January 20, 2022