The Government of Maharashtra proposes to carry out DNA tests on children used for begging and persons in whose custody these children are found. It claims that the procedure would conclusively reveal if the latter are the biological parents of the child or not. If they are found to be unrelated, the government proposes to trace the real parents through an online DNA database and thus, reunite the children with their families.
This is not the first time that the government has announced its intention to bring about such a policy. The proposed policy option needs to be properly understood as it is being announced repeatedly and may be taken up for formal approval.
Barring a few people who have raised their eyebrows over the idea that someone’s DNA report will be collected and stored by the government in its data bank, apparently there is not much objection to the idea per se. Considering the seriousness and rising number of cases of ‘missing and found but untraced’ children mostly belonging to certain weaker and vulnerable section of the society, as well as the technological superiority and indispensability of DNA matching, a vague objection to create a DNA data bank might not get much attention. Nonetheless, it may be stressed at the outset that DNA data being sensitive, must be handled carefully and responsibly.
At face value, the idea looks noble and appealing. But on closer inspection, it will be clear that the idea is vague and full of defects and gaps. What must be appreciated is the announcement of the State’s desire to do something about the issue of children used for begging, although in its current form, it is naïve, poorly conceptualised and based on incorrect presumptions.
Presumptions in the State’s design: