Election Commission ‘scan’ on children at PM Modi's rally in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore

Election authorities in Coimbatore have sought reports from the education and labour departments in the district over media reports of students of Sri Sai Baba Vidyalayam Aided Middle School performing as deities on stages set up by the BJP along Modi’s route

Pheroze L. Vincent, TT, New Delhi, 20.03.24 :  The Election Commission (EC) is said to be looking into the allegation of presence of schoolchildren in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s roadshow in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore on Monday.

A senior EC source said: “The matter came to our notice this (Tuesday) morning. The district collector has already begun an inquiry based on the guidelines of the commission. We shall take appropriate action after receiving the report.”

Election authorities in Coimbatore have sought reports from the education and labour departments in the district over media reports of students of Sri Sai Baba Vidyalayam Aided Middle School performing as deities on stages set up by the BJP along Modi’s route.

Last month, the EC had cited laws against child labour and a Bombay High Court judgment in its instructions for election officials and political parties. The poll panel had said: “Political parties are explicitly directed not to engage children in any form of election campaign, including rallies, slogan shouting, distribution of posters or pamphlets, or any other election-related activity….

“This prohibition extends to the use of children to create the semblance of a political campaign in any manner including use through poem, songs, spoken words, display of insignia of political party/candidate, exhibiting ideology of political party, promoting achievements of a political party or criticizing the opponent political parties/candidates.”

The EC is yet to act on complaints against a purported open letter by the Prime Minister to voters that was sent from a WhatsApp business account identifying itself with the Union electronics and IT ministry after the declaration of polls.

Trinamul MP Derek O’Brien had complained about it to Bengal’s chief electoral officer on Monday. Election authorities in Chandigarh have also reportedly sent a note to the EC after a complaint was filed against it.

The EC source said he was unaware of any complaint being received by the poll panel in this matter but pointed out that the letter was dated March 15 — a day before the polls were announced.

The letter is not available on the official website of the Press Information Bureau but its existence was reported on the state-run All India Radio’s website. The broadcaster later removed it from the site.