Justice Nagarathna expressed concern over the rights of disabled children, gave important suggestions to the states

Supreme Court Judge Justice BV Nagarathna said on Sunday that the rights of children with disabilities should be implemented as extensively as possible. Justice Nagarathna said continuously that it should be ensured that they get a constructive atmosphere and support so that they can emerge as constructive citizens. Justice Nagarathna is also the chairperson of the Juvenile Justice Committee at the Supreme Court.

For children with a living disability, Judge Justice BV Nagarathna said, they were, after all, children. They had a right to protection and a right to life in a family environment. Justice Nagarathna was speaking at the concluding session of the two-day National Annual Stakeholder Consultation organized on the topic 'Protection of the Rights of Children with Disabilities and Interconnectedness of Disabilities'.

Justice Nagarathna said that the rights of children with disabilities should be followed ideally and in practice to as great an extent as possible. He said our determination should be to provide children with disabilities access to a society that accepts their unique abilities and raises their voices with dignity and respect.

Justice Nagarathna said, "Before we conclude this consultation, we must resolve to reaffirm our commitment to the protection of children, especially children with disabilities." He categorically told each state to take necessary policy and legal steps toward ensuring accessibility and inclusion for children with disabilities by removing all barriers that stand in the way of the rights of the children.

He said a state action plan should be developed for the protection of children with disabilities. Which will be reviewed and monitored jointly by the Juvenile Justice Committees of the states and the High Courts. Earlier on Saturday, Nagarathna had said that policies should be to remove barriers for children with disabilities as the removal of these barriers paves the way for integrating them into society. In a poorly resourced world with multiple competing priorities, Nagarathna said, "It is critical that policies affecting children with disabilities be truly informed by sound data and comprehensive research.".