Amod Kanth
Amod K. Kanth | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Citizenship | Indian |
| Education | BA in History from M.S. College, Motihari MA in History from Patna University LLB from Delhi University |
Amod K. Kanth is an Indian social activist and advocate for children's rights. He is a former IPS officer and the founder of the NGO Prayas.[1]
Kanth joined the IPS in 1974 and served in various positions, primarily in Delhi, during a law enforcement career that spanned more than three decades. He rose to the rank of Director General of Police (DGP) of Goa, followed by DGP of Arunachal Pradesh. He also served with the CBI, as the Chief Vigilance Officer of the Delhi Jal Board, and as the founder of the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) and the Domestic Workers Sector Skill Council (DWSSC). His work includes a national-level study on child abuse in India with the Delhi Government and ActionAid.
Education
[edit]He holds a BA in history from M.S. College, Motihari, an MA in history from Patna University, and an LLB from Delhi University.[2]
1974 to 1988 – Police career
[edit]Kanth held multiple posts, including those of the DGP of Goa and DGP of Arunachal Pradesh. He received the President's Police Medal and a gallantry award for protecting civilians during the Delhi riots. He was involved in investigations into the assassinations of Rajiv Gandhi and Lalit Maken, as well as cases related to narcotics and child abuse.[2]
1988 to 2019 – Prayas and other causes
[edit]In 1988, Kanth founded Prayas, an organisation focused on the welfare, education, and protection of children, youth, women,[1] and other vulnerable sections of society. Prayas JAC Society was established to support the welfare and rehabilitation of "Children in Need of Care and Protection" and juveniles in conflict with the law. The organization has grown to include pro-poor and child development initiatives, and socio-economic support programs across several regions.
Currently, Prayas operates approximately 315 centers and units, including 38 homes and shelters for children, the homeless, adults, and women across 13 states and union territories, serving around 50,000 marginalized individuals. The organization supports women through self-help groups, income-generation initiatives, and entrepreneurship training. Prayas employs over 750 professionals and several hundred volunteers from India and abroad. As the team leader of the National Study on Child Abuse (the Indian chapter of the UN study on global violence against children), sponsored by the Government of India, UNICEF, and Save the Children UK, Kanth contributed to research informing national policy and program development.
From 2007 to 2011, he was the chairman of the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR).[3][4][5]
He has contributed to policy discussions of the Indian Government and participated in youth-related initiatives of the UN, UNICEF, and US government, as well as in child and youth programs in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.[2]
Author
[edit]Kanth has published two books based on his police diaries: Khaki in Dust Storm and Khaki on Broken Wings. The first volume recounts investigations conducted during a period of political violence and security challenges, including the assassinations of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, and the Delhi riots. The second volume focuses on high-profile criminal investigations and his perspective on the criminal justice system.
Opposition to decriminalisation of Section 377
[edit]Under his leadership, the DCPCR appealed against the scrapping of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.[6] DCPCR's legal counsel, Amit Anand Tiwari, argued that studies showed children of LGBT parents were more prone to social stigmatisation. Kanth stated that, under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and Indian law, every child has a right to a family, defined as a mother and father. He viewed the High Court ruling as conflicting with that definition. However, the commission’s final submission to the Supreme Court did not include arguments concerning child rights protection.[6]
2008 to present – Politics
[edit]Amod K. Kanth contested the Sangam Vihar Assembly constituency in Delhi on an Indian National Congress ticket in the 2008 state elections.[7] He lost the election, finishing as runner-up by 3,589 votes.
Awards and recognition
[edit] | This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (April 2025) |
- President's Police Medal and Gallantry Award for his role in saving lives during the Delhi riots.
- Outstanding Social Worker on Child Welfare award from the Government of NCT Delhi.
- Cited in the U.S. State Department's 2005 Trafficking in Persons Report as a model institution for child protection and rehabilitation.
- Kumarappa-Reckless Award from the National Association of Criminology for contributions to legal reforms for children.
- Honoured with life membership of the International Film and Television Club of the Asian Academy of Film & Television.
- Recognized by the US Government as a "Global Hero" against human trafficking.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Amod K. Kanth - Jaipur Literature Festival". jaipurliteraturefestival.org. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
- ^ a b c "A PROFILE OF AMOD K. KANTH" (PDF). Prayas. 2010. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
- ^ Sobhana K (2008). "Kanth to head new child rights panel for Delhi". The Indian Express. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
- ^ Staff reporter (2008). "I shall be an agent of change: Former cop Amod Kanth". India Today. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
- ^ Staff Reporter (2008). "Amod Kanth spells out his plans in new role". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
- ^ a b "Why Delhi child rights commission opposed de-criminalisation of gay sex". Firstpost. 14 December 2013.
- ^ Staff Reporter (2008). "MLAs at your doorstep". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 19 November 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2012.