In a society known for its matrilineal traditions it is facile to state that women who have been offered to lead the Meghalaya State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) have refused to take on that mantle as stated by Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh. Many questions arise here. One, the Government should have a search and selection committee to look for the best candidates who can shoulder this responsibility and discharge the duties mandated by the office with the fairness, sincerity and empathy needed. This list should be submitted to the government and after the interview process is done the person most fit to hold the post should be appointed. But the MDA Government will have none of this. It insists on appointing people who lean towards the government and are therefore not likely to cross swords with the Government should the occasion arise. Political appointees are by nature hand-picked and have therefore surrendered their right to act independently in the interest of the office they hold – in this case to uphold the rights of minor children and to make sure that the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (PoCSO) Act is implemented in letter and spirit.
This appointment has raised the hackles of some political parties who have accused the MDA Government of nepotism with several members of the family being paid out of the state’s exchequer. Is this a fair and transparent appointment? The Social Welfare Minister has vouched that Agatha Sangma is well qualified to hold that post. Well, having appointed her he has to also hold the brief for her. To be fair, Agatha Sangma holds a degree in Law but so do many others not connected to the Government who could have held that position and discharged their duties admirably, with empathy and with no strings attached.
Also, what is enigmatic here is why the appointee to this particular position always has to be a woman when that is not stipulated in the Act. Can a male person not have the passion and commitment to work to protect the rights of children in this State? The Act says that the Commission shall consist of (a) a Chairperson who is a person of eminence and has done outstanding work for promoting the welfare of children; and (b) six members, out of which at least two shall be women. The appointees should be persons of eminence, ability, integrity, standing and experience in (i) education (ii) child health, care, welfare or child development; (iii) juvenile justice or care of neglected or marginalized children or children with disabilities; (iv) elimination of child labour or children in distress; (v) child psychology or sociology; and (vi) law relating to children. Dynastic politics must not be allowed to raise its ugly head in Meghalaya.
