KOCHI: Kids who accompany their parents to sell pens and other assorted things in the streets can't be labeled as child laborers, High Court observed. Recently police transferred children of Rajasthani street vendors to child welfare homes which stirred a debate in the social domain. After the high court observation, the children were released back immediately to their parents. The bench consisting of V G Arun took up the case after the Rajasthani parents moved a petition seeking the release of their children. It was on November 29th that the Ernakulam central police took the children of ages 6 and 7 from their parents in the marine drive area. Later on, they were shifted to the Palluruthy child welfare home. The repeated attempts of the shaken parents to talk to or see their children were neglected.

These Rajasthani families usually migrate south to survive harsh winter and engage in selling small goods on the streets. It is no new that their children accompany them. While in distress about losing their children, the couples sought help from their neighbor Advocate Mrinal, who helped move the petition to the high court. While in court the couples found it hard to keep their emotions away and eventually broke down hard which moved the court.