Delhi Police ad angers child rights body

A Delhi Police advertisement has raised the hackles of the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR). The advertisement depicted a 'vulnerable' child and read: "Help him learn how to chop an onion. Before someone teaches him how to chop a head." HT reports.

A Delhi Police advertisement has raised the hackles of the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR). The advertisement depicted a 'vulnerable' child and read: "Help him learn how to chop an onion. Before someone teaches him how to chop a head."

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The fund-raising advertisement had appeared in various newspapers on Monday.

Stating that the advertisement was done in an extremely poor taste, the DCPCR sent a notice to Delhi Police.

"This is an insensitive portrayal of vulnerable street children. The advertisement seems to be implying that street children should be put to work and that such children take to crime. The least the Delhi Police can do is tender an apology and withdraw the advertisement," said Arun Mathur, chairperson of DCPCR.

"Teaching a child how to chop an onion does not really do him justice. The commission finds the advertisement to be a negative portrayal of a vulnerable child," he added.

The notice sent by the DCPCR to the police commissioner read: "The commission finds the advertisement in bad taste and diminishing the dignity and worth of children who are our future citizens".

The advertisement said underprivileged young adults and children were vulnerable to the lure of crime. The only hope for them is timely intervention and integration that Delhi Police's Yuva foundation provides. The advertisement sought the public's support in the form of donations to the foundation.