Kailash Satyarthi's activism goes beyond working for children's rights: H S Phoolka

JALANDHAR: "He can strike instant rapport with an illiterate labourer, can speak in his idiom and at another time, he can be a suave orator while speaking to a minister, MP, senior bureaucrat or some diplomat," said senior Supreme Court advocate and Aam Aadmi Party leader H S Phoolka, who has been appearing for petitions filed by Nobel peace prize laureate Kailash Satyarthi's Bachpan Bachao Andolan in the Supreme Court and Delhi high court.

Phoolka's association with Satyarthi began around three decades back, just after the massacre of Sikhs in November 1984. Both of them were among the few activists who started pursuing the daunting task of pursuing the cause of justice.

"He worked on ground not only for child labourers but also during our fight for justice for the 1984 massacre victims. It was not just moral support but actual help in the field through work among victims and survivors," recalled Phoolka.

"He worked as a foot soldier and roped in friends and comrades in extending relief. He spearheaded the victims' fight for justice," Phoolka said. "Just two years back, he participated in the candle light vigil at the India Gate to seek justice for the victims of India's worst massacre after Independence," he added.

Their association grew stronger and 10 years back, Phoolka started handling important petitions in the SC and Delhi HC while coordinating with lawyers in other courts to decide the legal course on different issues pertaining to Satyarthi's organization BBA.

Throwing light on Satyarthi's working style, the lawyer-turned-politician said that the former started from the ground and then took the work to different levels. "If a group of activists of Bachpan Bachao Andolan extended help to the victims at police stations, another group would identify MPs who are sympathetic to their cause and would then interact with them for pursuing their issues in Parliament. Yet another team would work closely with lawyers to get results in the legal domain," Phoolka said.

"If required, he could confront officials. At other times, he worked with government agencies to bring out results in terms of legislation and effective implementation of laws to check child labour. Rugmark, a label certifying that the product was free of child labour, was his major endeavor. Satyarthi was among Rugmark founders which had tremendous impact on Indian manufacturers and their international buyers. He combined global and local action and worked on field and with the government," he said about Satyarthi's method of working.

http://ift.tt/1p3tl6L Satyarthi,H S Phoolka

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