HYDERABAD: Days after a 13-year-old girl’s death following her 68-days-long fast, the Hyderabad city police entered the information in General Dairy (GD) and questioned the parents of the deceased in connection with the incident on Saturday.
The girl’s community elders found fault with the family members, who failed to take precautionary measures during the minor’s fasting. The additional deputy commissioner of police, North Zone, PY Giri, told Express that they had received information in connection with the incident of 13-year-old Aradhana’s death after she observed fasting for 68 days as part of community rituals.
“After we received information, we made an entry in the General Dairy (GD) and initiated further action. Based on the result of probe, we will initiate action,” Giri said. The police also questioned the parents and family members of Aradhana on Saturday. Police said that parents allowed Aradhana to observe such long fasting after she pressured her parents.
‘Minor observing such a long fast is objectionable’
Jain Association representatives found fault with the parents for allowing the minor to observe such a long fast. Rajesh Shah, President of Shree Simandhar Digambar Jain Mandir, Ramkote, told Express that it was objectionable that a minor was allowed to observe such a long fasting.
Meanwhile, child rights activist and AP State Commission for Protection of Child Rights member, Makkapati Sumitra said below the age of 18 a child’s consent does not amount to consent. Quoting the Convention of Rights for Child (CRC) article that mandates adults/guardians to take decisions based on ‘best interests of child’, she added, “Making a child starve to death, even if parents say that it is in the best interests of the child or according to religious rituals or beliefs, amounts to crime against children.”