Judge Warns Against Employing Children in Agricultural Work in Raichur

Senior Civil Judge and District Legal Services Authority Member-Secretary Siddaramappa Kalyanrao has urged stakeholders to prevent children from being employed in agricultural work, warning that such employment could affect their education and long-term prospects. He said ensuring compulsory education and bringing every child below 18 into the mainstream should remain a priority.

The remarks were made during a workshop organised in Raichur, where the issue of child labour in agriculture was discussed. Kalyanrao stressed the importance of ensuring that children remain connected to education rather than being pushed into agricultural employment. He warned that involving children in farm-related work could deprive them of basic educational opportunities.

The issue has gained attention after the International Labour Organization (ILO), New Delhi, selected Raichur district for a pilot study on the deployment of children in agriculture. The study is being conducted under the Child Labour Platform initiative, which seeks to examine challenges related to child labour and support efforts to address them.

Also Read: Karnataka Committee Approves Inclusion of Buddhists in Kuvempu's Poem

Kalyanrao called for greater cooperation among authorities, community representatives and other stakeholders to ensure that children are protected from labour. He emphasised that children should have access to education and opportunities that allow them to develop without being compelled to work at a young age.

Child labour in agriculture can have wider consequences beyond the immediate loss of schooling. Regular involvement in farm work can make it difficult for children to attend school consistently and can affect their ability to continue their education. Ensuring that children remain in the education system is therefore important for improving their future opportunities and preventing them from being drawn into long-term labour.

The pilot study in Raichur is expected to provide greater understanding of the factors contributing to children's involvement in agricultural work. The concerns raised at the workshop underline the need for continued monitoring and coordinated action to protect children and promote compulsory education. Ensuring that all children below 18 remain connected to education and the social mainstream, Kalyanrao said, should be treated as a key priority.

Also Read: Wanted The Top Job, Accepted The Call: Shivakumar On Karnataka CM Post