The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to Telangana officials over a complaint lodged by Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF) alleging that minor schoolchildren in Khammam district were forced to participate in a politically and religiously charged pro-Palestine rally held on 7 August 2025.
On August 21, taking cognisance of the matter under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, the Bench of the Commission presided by Priyank Kanoongo, directed:
“The Registry is directed to issue a notice to the District Collector, and SP, Khammam, and the Commissioner and Director of School Education, Government of Telangana, Saifabad, Hyderabad, with directions to get the allegations made in the complaint inquired into and to submit an Action Taken Report within 15 days for perusal of the Commission.”
Telangana: LRPF petitions NHRC over schools in Khammam participating pro-Palestine rally, cites child rights abuse
Reports: Kunti Surender #Telangana #LRPF #NHRC #khammamhttps://t.co/N9Qukdaihy
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) August 14, 2025
The complaint by LRPF, raising grave concerns about the safety and mental well-being of minor students, alleged:
“On 7th August 2025, a politically and religiously charged pro-Palestine rally was organized by the Communist Party of India (CPI), Muslim minority groups, and other local leaders. Students from around 25 schools were forced to participate in the rally, transported in nearly 100 buses to the venue. These children were made to enact violent dramatizations of the Gaza conflict, using graphic props resembling dead bodies, causing fear and emotional distress to the children.”
Trouble mounted for pro-Palestine private schools in Khammam. NHRC takes cognizance of our complaint on minors forced into rally & made to enact violent scenes.
Notice issued to Collector, SP & State Director of School Education asking to take strict action against schools. https://t.co/DtvsJzgoO8
— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) August 21, 2025
The complainant argued that the incident amounted to a violation of constitutional and statutory protections, stating:
“This rally violates Article 39(f) of the Indian Constitution, which directs the State to ensure that children are given opportunities to develop in a healthy manner and are protected against exploitation and moral and material abandonment. It also violates Section 17 of the Right to Education Act, which prohibits physical punishment or mental harassment of children in schools. Involving students in external protests disrupted their education and subjected them to mental harassment by compelling participation in controversial activities.”
The petition also highlighted provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act, Section 75, which prescribes punishment for cruelty to a child, and noted that the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights explicitly prohibits exposing children to harmful adult-driven agendas of political protests.
Observing the matter to be of serious concern, the NHRC recorded: “The allegations made in the complaint prima facie seem to be serious violations of the human rights of the victim.”
Speaking to Organiser, A.S. Santhosh, General Secretary of the Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF), said, “We strongly demand the cancellation of the registration of the schools involved, and we expect the government to take all necessary steps to strictly monitor such subversive techniques used to brainwash innocent children by pro-Communist and radical Islamic forces. The LRPF is prepared to approach the courts if required. Indoctrination of children is a calculated divisive strategy that threatens social harmony.”
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