Use of children in PM's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan challenged in HC

The HC has refused to entertain a PIL which challenged a government circular sent to schools and colleges asking children to participate in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

The Bombay high court has refused to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) which challenged a government circular sent to schools and colleges asking children to participate in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sweep the streets of the country.

According to petitioner, MV Holamagi, a Mumbai-based lawyer, a circular had been issued asking the children to sweep the streets for seven days from November 14. He said this was illegal and not justified and was being done by political leaders to use children for their own interests.

A bench of Justice Anoop Mohota and Nitin Jamdar pulled up the petitioner on Friday for not enclosing the circular with the petition.

"You must come fully prepared to the court when the PIL is heard," the judges said and asked the petitioner to locate the circular and attach a copy thereof to the PIL.

Since the circular is being challenged it would be in the fitness of things to go through this document before deciding whether it is illegal or not, said the Judges.

The petitioner was asked to produce the circular before the court and mention the matter so that it can be heard on merits.

"I will try to get a copy of the circular by next week and move the court thereafter," Holamagi, told PTI in Mumbai on Saturday.

The petitioner had prayed that pending the hearing and final disposal of the PIL, the court may declare the impugned circular, asking children to participate in the Swacha Bharat Abhiyan, as illegal and set aside the same.