NHRC seeks comment from Orissa govt on Budhia marathon

New Delhi, May 5 (UNI) Taking suo-motu cognizance of media reports on the marathon run by four-year-old Budhia Singh in Orissa, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today sought within two weeks comments from the state Government on the incident.

The Commission also directed that the news reports, about the 65-km run by Budhia on May 2 from Puri to Bhubaneshwar, be sent to Orissa Chief Secretary and CRPF Director General J K Sinha here for comments within 14 days.

''If the contents of the reports are true it raises serious issue of violation of human rights of the child,'' the Commission said.

NHRC said a number of doctors had also voiced concern about the incident saying, long distance runs could make heart beat faster to meet the extra demand for oxygen, which could lead to heart failure.

The Commission quoted the doctors as saying, ''Budhia's cartilages could face serious wear and tear, ultimately affecting his normal growth. They also fear that nutritional deficiency, resulting from the abnormal amount of calories that the child burns up, by running long distances could also affect his muscle growth and bone strength''.

While a few media reports highlighted the role of CRPF, which conducted the marathon, some newspapers focused on the human rights aspect of the incident.

The reports said despite the Orissa Government's curbs on Budhia's running, the district authorities in Puri allowed him to run the 65 kms distance in sweltering heat, as CRPF was associated with the event.

The reports also said Orissa Sports Minister Debashis Nayak, MP Archana Nayak and Additional Director of CRPF B S Gill were present at the CRPF stadium in Bhubaneshwar to receive Budhia.

Meanwhile, the CRPF Director General has also sought a report into the incident from the Orissa unit of the force.

The CRPF chief denied that the mandatory permission was sought before organising the event.

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