KANNUR: A risky parasailing stunt “performed” by an 11-month-old child on the Muzhappilangad beach on Wednesday received more flak than praise and landed the baby girl’s parents in legal trouble.
The baby from Kozhikode was made to set sail alone clinging on to an open parachute by her parents at an adventure sports event organised by an aerosports society, leaving the onlookers in a scary situation. The aerosports society claimed that the baby girl achieved a rare feat by sailing alone up in the sky.
But the authorities and the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights are not at all impressed by the stunt.
The open parachute soared up around 600 feet as the child tried to cry louder in mortal fear, according to eyewitnesses.
Kannur district police chief P N Unniraja also drew flak for flagging off the dangerous stunt.
Commission Nazeer Chaliyam told Express that the incident was a clear violation of the International Child Rights Convention and the parents were punishable under Section 23 of the Juvenile Justice Act.
The Commission has taken cognisance of the incident and asked the Kannur District Collector and the IG (North Zone) to submit a report immediately.
District Collector P Balakiran said legal action would be taken against those responsible.
Safar Ahmed, grandfather of the baby said all the safety measures had been taken before the adventure.
“I am a parasailing instructor and a life member of the National Adventure Foundation. The baby’s mother and father are parasailing instructors and were present on the occasion,” he said.
DIG Sreejith, chief investigation officer of the Kerala Human Rights Commission, said the incident was prima facie a clear case of cruelty to the juvenile.