The viral video of a 12-year-old boy questioning the delay in announcing summer vacations for schools in Kashmir has now reached the Child Welfare Committee, drawing comments from Kashmir’s chief cleric and reigniting questions about children’s presence on social media.The video, which has been widely shared online over the past few days, shows the boy criticizing Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Sakina Itoo for not announcing summer vacations despite temperatures in the valley crossing 35 degrees Celsius. Speaking directly to the camera, the boy says he believes the minister “may not have children attending school” and that she “could be sitting in an air-conditioned room”.Summer vacations in Kashmir Valley schools are usually announced for about two weeks during July and August, with the exact schedule depending on weather conditions.
The Child Welfare Committee orders the action
The now-led Child Welfare Committee (CWC) has stepped in. According to a notice issued by the panel, the news portal that uploaded the video first recorded and interviewed the boy without obtaining informed consent from his parents or legal guardians. He also alleged that the recording was done without the knowledge or permission of the school authorities.The committee has ordered the representatives of the news portal to appear before it. He has also asked the police to initiate steps to remove the video from online platforms and register a First Information Report (FIR). According to the report, the portal has already sent a written response to the commission.CWC Chairperson Khair-ul-Nisa said she took cognizance of his motu after watching the clip online.“I took his motu cognition after seeing the viral video. At that time, I did not know the identity of the boy, his parents or the school. The video had already gone viral,” he said. TNN reportsHe said the committee later identified the boy’s school through his uniform and directed the principal to appear on Saturday to verify the facts.Khair-ul-Nisa also expressed concern about the possible impact of viral attention on the child.“He may not even be able to go back to school because of the attention the video has received. Journalists should have exercised greater discretion before uploading the video,” he said.
Mirwaiz questions the exposure of children to social media
The controversy also drew a response from the chief cleric of Kashmir, Mirwaiz Umar Farooqwho called the boy’s statements “discourteous” while raising concerns about minors appearing on social media.Addressing the crowd after Friday prayers at the Jamia Mosque, Mirwaiz said society should reflect on whether children should be exposed to social media in this way.“Society needs to ask whether underage children should be exposed to social media in this way and used for public reactions without understanding the consequences,” he was quoted as saying. TNNThe video has sparked strong reactions on social media.Many users defended the boy’s comments as an example of free speech and said children should be encouraged to voice concerns that affect them. Others criticized the language used in the video, calling it disrespectful and arguing that it reflected a lack of basic social values.As the debate continued, the Child Welfare Committee issued new advice asking media organizations and individuals not to interview, film or circulate video of children in ways that could affect their privacy, dignity, safety or general well-being.