How Juvenile Is Juvenile?

Oxford Bookstore N 81, Connaught Place, New Delhi 110001

Organized in collaboration with Zuban Books and HAQ: Centre for Child Rights

August 25th 2014. Monday, 6:30 p.m.

Who is a juvenile and who is not? Can age be the only defining factor to determine an issue that has such wide-ranging implications and ramifications? How does one look at the Juvenile Justice Act that is currently being discussed, and how will it impact consensual sex? Will it bring greater numbers of people within the ambit of criminal law? How do we look at concepts of ‘maturity’ and ‘criminality’ in a young person? Is deeming someone a ‘heinous offender’ at 16 the reflection of a society determined to punish rather than reform? Can we ensure safety of women – and society at large – by punishing juvenile offenders like adults?

Join us in debating these questions with Dr. Joachim Theis (Child Protection Chief, UNICEF India), Dr. Achal Bhagat (psychiatrist and psychotherapist), Atiya Bose (Aangan Trust) and Suneeta Dhar (Director, JAGORI). The discussion will be moderated by Enakshi Ganguly Thukral (Co-Founder and Co-Director, HAQ: Centre for Child Rights).

We Must Stop Juvenile in Justice