Bonding Session: Unique plan to reunite rescued children with their families in Telangana

Children rescued from child trafficking in Telangana are now being prepared to be sent with their adoptive parents. The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) has prepared a plan after the order of the Telangana High Court.

According to this, the rescued children and the parents who have illegally adopted them will be kept in a room. If the officials feel an emotional connection between them, the children will be sent back with them.

A decision was taken by the Child Welfare Committee when Telangana High Court handed over the responsibility before it to decide the future of the 15 rescued children. But now, it is also said that this can be made an example by sending the children back and the law misused.

In fact, police busted a child trafficking gang operating in Delhi and Pune 6 months ago. At that time 15 children aged between 7 months to 4 years were rescued. Investigation revealed that many couples buy children by paying 5 to 8 lakh rupees to these illegal gangs and adopt them.

The children were later rescued and sent to a shelter home in Hyderabad. Now, after a 'bonding session', arrangements are on to send the same kids with every parent. This session will take place in the government office at Alwal in Hyderabad this weekend.

The committee member said, 'This decision has been taken on humanitarian grounds. These children have been living with the family since they were adopted. Some children were with their families for about 3 years. But we will have to first examine the behavior of the parents as well.'

Legal experts do not consider this decision to be correct. Akshay Mehra of the Commission for Child Protection and Rights said that there are many legal complexities in this. A district judge said, 'We understand that children need to grow up in a family environment, but by doing this, aren't we encouraging those who misuse the law?'

On this matter, officials of the Child Welfare Committee said that the parents have been charged with the illegal adoption of children, not trafficking. However, the couples believe that they have adopted the children under the rules of the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act.

These couples had also jointly filed a petition in the High Court and demanded custody of the children. Shazia Gilani, who does research on behavior, says, 'Attachment to children can happen in many ways. But a difference is also seen in this when you stay away from them for a long time. Only by continuing such bonding sessions over a long period of time can real results be seen.