On Jul 12, 2014, at 12:32 AM, Cecil Pinto <cecilpi...@gmail.com> wrote:
1: Bring back the Untouchability Offences Act of 1955 and arrest all the parents of the Rivona School students. 2: They are (teaching) the HIV kids like 'untouchables' or 'harijans' and therefore have to be penalised by the Government. 3: Are the Rivona parents of such a high caste that they can treat OUR kids like Untouchables? Arrest them all! COMMENT: The Untouchability Offences Act of 1955, to the best of my knowledge has gone nowhere for it to be 'brought back'. Please see 'the Protection of Civil Rights Act (1955). Also see Art 17 of the Indian Constitution. Not very sure what #3 (above) means. Before "we" get ALL hot under the collar, here are a few points that need to be considered: a: There is quite a bit of apprehension wrt HIV in many societies. b: Education is crucial to the assuaging of the apprehensions. c: It is important that these unfortunate children be seen by and be under the regular care of a Pediatric Infectious Disease specialist. IF they are diagnosed as suffering from HIV disease, they should be prescribed and maintained on the appropriate medications. (There should be NO shortage of such medications in India as they are also manufactured in India). d: They should also be tested, examined and cleared for TB, as they are specially susceptible to it. (All children, hopefully, are being screened for TB). The BCG vaccine is not considered to be protective against Pulmonary TB. e: While HIV is not spread by regularly school activities, untreated TB can be. f: There is also the issue of WHAT happens if an HIV child bites another or if there is bleeding from contact sport or horseplay. g: One cannot willy nilly go and 'arrest parents' on an interpretation of an Act - without taking ALL the steps to address their real concerns, whether the concerns are justified or not. jc
