The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, we are debating the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill.

¶ 02 “There is no child born bad; Every child is good at birth— It is upbringing by the mother That makes one good or bad.”

¶ 03 These lines ring true. The amendment before us is very necessary. Many scholars and psychologists have written about childhood. To cite Sigmund Freud: the subconscious is a mirror of one’s childhood experiences; repressed emotions later surface; the key to understanding human psychology is to understand early life; and dreams fulfill childhood wishes. Many psychologists have emphasized childhood in this way.

¶ 04 In our country, children—from birth to 18—face physical and psychological punishments in various places and contexts. Those most subjected are children without parental care, or who have lost parents, or whose parents work away from home; also children punished due to social, caste or religious biases. In children’s homes, schools, houses and communities, physical punishments occur, affecting their futures. Today we see drug and alcohol abuse and other unlawful behaviour even among minors; these often reflect the punishments and abuses they suffered early in life.

¶ 05 We adults have the foremost duty to protect children in every way. Therefore, it is welcome if all in this august House support this amendment with one voice.

¶ 06 Child labour is still seen in many places; there too, punishments occur—this is worse still. In infancy (0–2 years), children express needs by crying. Some parents, stressed or overburdened, fail to understand those feelings and instead inflict physical punishment—even at an age when they cannot understand anything. This is happening widely now.

¶ 07 In early childhood (2–6 years), children are highly emotional and expect parents or caregivers to fulfill their wishes. When small expectations are not met, reactions become negative, often leading to punishment. Hence, parental involvement is crucial. Yet we place children in daycare or nursery at age two to two-and-a-half, though they should be with mother and father’s care. In such centres too, punishments occur. At school, children enter with expectations, but their opportunities are often curtailed, and punishments ensue.