Twenty girls found in an orphanage run by Muslims in Bengaluru (Karnataka)

• A raid by the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights
• Alleged angle of trafficking to Gulf countries in the name of marriage found
• After the raid, a phone call was made to announce in the mosque to assemble a crowd

Bengaluru (Karnataka) – The National Chairman of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), Mr Priyank Kanoongo, led a raid on an illegal orphanage here. They found 20 girls here who are suspected to be trafficked for forced marriage in Gulf countries. In this regard, Mr Kanoongo has posted the video of this raid on the social media platform ‘X’.

Mr Kanoongo stated, “The girls disclosed that a woman named Salma, the woman in charge of the property and who took care of them, arranged marriages for them in Kuwait. Salma and her supervisor Shameer summoned their goons who intended to start a brawl during the investigation when it was time to present the little girls before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). One of the thugs made a phone call to someone and asked to announce in the mosque to assemble a crowd after which the Police intervened and managed to subdue the gang. We have arrived at the Police station on the Police’s recommendation and with consideration for the security of the women officers. Appeasement has caused the Karnataka Government to submit to the crooks. There were 20 girls, including orphans, housed in the orphanage. They were kept in total isolation and were not even allowed to join school. The children’s home is devoid of windows or skylights and the girls are confined behind its four walls. Some of them who attended school before coming here have also stopped attending.”

Last year, a case was filed against the Commission for conducting a raid on an orphanage in Bengaluru

On 23rd November 2023, the Karnataka Government issued a warrant against Priyank Kanoongo. During his visit to an orphanage in Bengaluru, Kanoongo expressed his dismay at the living conditions of the children, likening it to life under the Taliban. This comparison, which was met with anger from the Karnataka Government, prompted them to take this action based on a complaint.

Editorial Perspective

What else can be expected of the Government ? Why is it that the State Police lacks the same level of access to information as the NCPCR ? Or despite receiving information, the orphanage was being ignored because it was being run by Muslims ?