Mahesh Bhatt
© AFP/File Sajjad HussainNew Delhi, Oct 7: Bollywood personalities have now come forward to join hands with organizations that are working to eradicate child labor in India.
The Central Government's ban on child labor comes into effect from October 10. Those found violating it could face a jail term of up to two years and a maximum fine of 20,000 rupees (430 dollars).
However, the ban provides no protection for children aged between 14 and 18.
Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt says laws alone won't be sufficient to stop child labor.
"I think its an issue we have pushed under the carpet too long but finally I am glad the government has the audacity to bring in the law but the law is not enough unless every one home is sensitized," Bhatt said.
Former Miss India Gul Panag concurred with Bhatt's view.
"Citizens have to be actively concerned, people have to be involved at a basic level, and this is how this thing can be eradicated," Panag said.
Activists of the Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save Childhood Campaign) have started a nearly 1200-kilometer campaign on wheels from New Delhi to Mumbai to sensitize people against this inhuman practice.
"We have started our campaign against child labor and as part of it, we will be taking out a campaign on wheels starting from New Delhi to Mumbai and as part of it we will put up street plays and the likes to spread awareness about the evil of the child labor," the founder of Bachpan Bachao Andolan, Kailash Satyarthi, said.
Children working in low-end restaurants and highway food stalls are a common sight in many parts of India, and many urban households and shops hire young boys and girls below 14 from poor families as servants or maids.
Under the Child Labor (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986, children below 14 are already banned from working in "hazardous" industries such bangle, fireworks, carpet weaving and glass making.
But the ban is poorly implemented due to red tape and corruption, activists say, and given the government's poor record, some do not expect the latest ban to be effective.
Government data shows there are more than 11 million child laborers age under 14 across the country. (ANI)