Bangladeshi kids being deprived of education in jails

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Jan. 11: Several children of Bangladeshi prisoners are languishing in Indian correctional homes in the state without the benefits of formal education. Though a group of Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are working for their welfare twice a week, it is not sufficient, said Swami Divyananda, chief of Malda Ramkrishna Mission. Swami Divyananda who is also the vice-president of the Bengal Forum of Prisoners’ Friend (BFPF) plans to write letters to the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to seek legal rights to provide formal education for the Bangladeshi children who are living with their parents or relatives in various correctional homes. “Not only the Ramkrishna Mission, but some NGOs and even Christian organisation are interested and ready to provide formal education for these children who are being deprived of their rights,” Swami Divyananda said. “The BFPF, whose president is the inspector general of jail, Mr BD Sharma, is interested to take the responsibility of these children. But there is a legal bar and we are not in a position to do anything for them,” he added. The decision was taken after observing the plight of these kids and their future after the amendment of Foreigners (Amendment) Act, 2004. According to the Act, the system of judgment of Bangladeshi nationals has been changed. Earlier, they were convicted for upto two years, but at present the period of judgment has been extended upto eight years. “If children spend eight years in jail, how they would get formal education? Though our voluntary teachers are educating them twice a week, it is not sufficient,” Swami Divyananda said. “If the court and the state allow us, we can take these children to our houses for education. They will return to their country after their parents are released,” he added. According to Swami Divyananda, several children are living in various jails, including Behrampur central in Murshidabad and Krishnanagar jail in Nadia.