Students urged to stay away from drugs, sexual offences
Principal District and Sessions Judge G.L. Lakshminarayana has called upon students to stay away from social evils such as drug abuse and sexual offences and
Principal District and Sessions Judge G.L. Lakshminarayana has called upon students to stay away from social evils such as drug abuse and sexual offences and strive to become responsible citizens through education, discipline and legal awareness. He was inaugurating an awareness programme on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and drug abuse jointly organised by the Directorate of Child Protection, the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority, the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, the district administration, the Zilla Panchayat and the Shri Sharanbasaveshwar Vidyavardhak Sangha at the Poojya Doddappa Appa Auditorium of Sharnbasva University here on Sunday.
Expressing concern over increasing cases of addiction to alcohol, ganja and tobacco among youngsters, particularly in rural areas, Mr. Lakshminarayana said that such habits not only ruin lives but also lead to serious illnesses, including cancer. He urged students to focus on education and stay away from harmful influences. Referring to the enactment of the POCSO Act following the 2012 Nirbhaya sexual attack, he said that the law has been introduced to ensure the protection of women and children from sexual offences. Students should understand their rights, resist any form of abuse and report violations without fear, he added.
Member-Secretary of the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority and District Judge H. Shashidhar Shetty said that legal awareness is essential for everyone, irrespective of educational background. Knowledge of laws relating to birth registration, driving licence, road safety and other aspects of daily life will help citizens exercise their rights and fulfil their responsibilities, he said. He said that the District Legal Services Authority is providing free legal aid to the poor and workers, while Lok Adalats are ensuring speedy resolution of disputes. Students are urged to report incidents of child marriage, sexual abuse or other offences against children by calling Childline 1098.
Highlighting the growing menace of narcotics, Mr. Shetty said that drug trafficking networks are attempting to expand their reach across the country. He appealed to the public to report information relating to the transport or sale of narcotic substances through the designated helpline, thereby contributing to a drug-free society. Secretary of the Shri Sharanbasaveshwar Vidyavardhak Sangha Basavaraj Deshmukh, who presided over the programme, urged students to complement education with legal awareness and develop a clear vision during their formative years.
The BriefWire