#### Children Rescued from Shepherds’ Captivity: A Renewed Fight Against Child Labor and Trafficking

Udaipur / Salumber,  In a shocking revelation that has once again highlighted the grim realities of child exploitation in Rajasthan, two tribal children have been rescued from the captivity of shepherds (Gadariyas) in Salumber district. The operation, executed with the timely intervention of Gayatri Seva Sansthan, marks a significant breakthrough in the continuing fight against child labor and human trafficking in the tribal belts of southern Rajasthan.

The Rescue Operation

The incident came to light when Ravi Joshi, a vigilant local citizen, noticed something unusual while traveling on the Udaipur–Salumber route. He observed three groups of shepherds moving with their herds, but what caught his eye were two small children, frail and visibly distressed, handling the flocks. Alarmingly, no parents accompanied them. Concerned by their condition, Joshi immediately alerted the helpline.

Responding swiftly, Gayatri Seva Sansthan escalated the matter to the Udaipur Child Welfare Committee Chairperson, Yashoda Paniya, and to Jawar Mines Police. A joint inquiry confirmed that the children belonged to the Bhil tribal community of Sirohi district and had been trapped in bonded labor after advance payments were made to their families.

Police promptly registered cases against the accused shepherds, Jaiparam Gadariya and Asaram Gadariya, under serious provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act, the Bonded Labor System (Abolition) Act, 1976, and sections of the Indian Penal Code. The charges include luring children with food and money, exploiting them for forced labor, and plotting to transport them outside the state for further exploitation. The rescued minors were handed over to the Child Welfare Committee, Udaipur, and shifted to a shelter home for care and rehabilitation.

A History of Exploitation

The case has reopened old wounds in the state’s fight against child labor. A few years ago, similar complaints had reached the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and the Rajasthan State Commission for Protection of Child Rights. Taking serious note, both bodies had constituted inquiry teams to identify those exploiting children, especially among communities such as the Rebaris, Raikas, and Gadariyas.

In one landmark initiative, the then NCPCR Chairperson, Priyank Kanoongo, along with Commission Member Dr. Shailendra Pandya, held a dialogue with over 2,000 representatives of these communities in Bali Panchayat Samiti, Pali district. The dialogue sought to sensitize community leaders and eliminate the practice. For several years, such incidents significantly reduced, but this recent rescue is a reminder that the menace still lurks in pockets where poverty and lack of awareness remain exploited by traffickers.

Voices from the Ground

Dr. Shailendra Pandya, child rights expert and former member of the Rajasthan State Child Rights Commission, explained the seriousness of the charges.
“Cases have been filed under Sections 75 and 79 of the Juvenile Justice Act, Sections 16, 17, and 18 of the Bonded Labor System (Abolition) Act, and relevant provisions of the IPC. Past cases were reported from Banswara, Dungarpur, Udaipur, and Pali, but this resurgence underlines the urgent need for vigilant enforcement and comprehensive rehabilitation,” he said.

According to Pandya, while most community leaders strongly oppose such practices, individual greed continues to put children at risk. “What is needed is not just legal action but also rehabilitation models that prevent families from falling into the debt traps that fuel bonded labor.”

Payal Kenaria, district coordinator of Gayatri Seva Sansthan, emphasized the importance of civic participation. “This rescue could not have happened without the timely alert by an aware citizen. It shows that community vigilance is a crucial pillar in ending child exploitation.”

Gayatri Seva Sansthan’s Fight Against Exploitation

The NGO has been at the forefront of child protection efforts in Rajasthan. Only a few days earlier, it had rescued three children from similar conditions in Pratapgarh district. With the two rescued from Salumber, the total number of children freed from bonded labor this month has risen to five.

Amit Rao, another representative of the organization, reiterated their mission: “Our work is dedicated to eradicating the deep-rooted evils of child labor, child marriage, and human trafficking. Every child rescued is a step towards restoring their stolen childhood, but much more needs to be done to ensure this cycle does not repeat.”

The Larger Picture

Experts point out that tribal belts of southern Rajasthan, particularly in Sirohi, Banswara, Dungarpur, and parts of Udaipur, are highly vulnerable to child exploitation. Many impoverished families fall prey to advances offered by traffickers and end up pushing their children into bonded labor. Once caught in this web, children are forced into grueling tasks, often without adequate food, education, or care.

The government has robust legal frameworks in place, but successful implementation hinges on cooperation between law enforcement agencies, NGOs, and community leaders. Awareness campaigns, rehabilitation programs, and sustained monitoring remain vital to uprooting the practice.

A Call for Action

This recent rescue operation has sent ripples across the district, reigniting conversations about the urgency of ending child labor. While the immediate priority is the rehabilitation of the rescued children, broader systemic changes are required to prevent recurrence.

The voices from Salumber echo a powerful message: vigilance, swift action, and community responsibility can together protect the most vulnerable. The fight against child labor is far from over, but each rescue stands as proof that change is possible when society refuses to look the other way.