Children in politics, adults under notice
The NHRC has sought reports after a foundation alleged that young children were used in scripted, politically charged Instagram videos in Uttar Pradesh. The videos’ contents and consent arrangements remain unestablished.
The NHRC has sought reports from authorities and Meta India over alleged scripted videos involving children.
The National Human Rights Commission has initiated an inquiry into allegations that young children were used in scripted, politically charged Instagram videos linked to Etah district in Uttar Pradesh. The complaint reportedly concerns an account operating from the Marchra area.
A bench headed by NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo issued notices to the Etah Senior Superintendent of Police, the Etah District Magistrate, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and Meta India. The authorities were asked to submit action-taken reports within two weeks of receiving the notices, according to published reports.
The reported directions include identifying the children, assessing their welfare through the Child Welfare Committee where necessary, offering counselling, preserving digital evidence and identifying the adults involved in scripting, recording, uploading or circulating the material. Meta India was also asked to explain how the content was repeatedly circulated and whether it generated monetisation or other commercial benefit.
The allegations are not findings. Reports have not established the number or ages of the children, whether parents consented, whether an FIR was registered, or whether the videos remain online. The political claims attributed to the videos, including anti-Prime Minister Narendra Modi content, rest on secondary reporting and should be treated as unverified. The NHRC has asked adults and platforms to answer for the content. That is where the answer belongs.