Only now eh?
INDIA'S top court today banned traveling circuses from employing children and ordered raids to remove young workers from troupes, the broadcaster NDTV reported. The Supreme Court ruling came after a children's rights group filed a petition that drew the court's attention the widespread prevalence of child labor, including in circuses, and also trafficking in children, the report said.
Children are often trained to perform high-wire acrobatic acts, juggling stunts and other attractions for audiences in India, where circus companies move from town to town throughout the year, AFP reported.
"The court has ordered the government to rescue all children below 14 years of age and also instructed them to formulate a rehabilitation policy for the minors," said Colin Gonsalves, a lawyer for the Save the Childhood Movement, which brought the case.
Circus professionals claim that training performers from a young age is crucial to developing skills and pointed to European circuses, which are allowed to sign up children if one parent accompanies them and a full education is provided.
Circuses have suffered a decline in popularity in India as TV, cinemas and video players have spread into poor, rural area
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