Over the course of more than twenty years, Bhuwan Ribhu has been a relentless advocate for the welfare of India’s children, working tirelessly to safeguard them from being exploited, abused, and subjected to injustice.
At the World Law Congress held in the Dominican Republic on May 5, 2025, he was presented with the Medal of Honour by the World Jurist Association.
This momentous occasion marked the culmination of his commitment, which culminated in a momentous moment. By receiving this honor, Ribhu is being recognized for her unwavering commitment to putting an end to child marriage, trafficking, sexual assault, and forced labor.
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In addition to demonstrating how dogged legal activism can promote social development, his accomplishments highlight the ability of India’s Constitution to protect those who are the most vulnerable.
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Constitutional bases for the protection of children’s rights
The Constitution of India provides a solid legal basis for the protection of children’s rights, which is offered by the Constitution.
Article 21, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, has been construed to encompass the right to a life of dignity, free from cruelty and exploitation. This interpretation was carried out by the United Nations.
Article 15 prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion, caste, sex, or place of birth. This ensures that no kid is denied fundamental rights due to their socioeconomic background.
In addition to these fundamental rights, the Directive Principles of State Policy, which are outlined in Articles 39(e) and 39(f), direct the state to prevent the abuse of children and to create conditions that allow for healthy growth.
Article 46 delegated additional responsibilities to the state, including the protection of children from social injustice and exploitation, as well as the promotion of the educational and economic interests of children.
When taken as a whole, these constitutional provisions constitute a complete framework that can be utilized by civil society and the judicial system in order to safeguard children.
In the beginning, there were battles and landmark cases.
In the year 2005, Bhuwan Ribhu was first exposed to the predicament of youngsters who were being forced to work.
This was the beginning of his quest. A public interest litigation was filed in the Delhi High Court by him with the intention of clarifying the obligations of the government with regard to the prevention of child labor. He was motivated to bring about systemic change.
The ruling that was handed down as a result of the case led to the modification of India’s child labor statute in 2016. This modification expanded the prohibition to cover all dangerous activities for children under the age of eighteen.
Ribhu participated in more than sixty cases of public interest litigation that were brought before India’s high courts and the Supreme Court during the course of the subsequent decade.
These cases dealt with a wide range of issues, including human trafficking, the disappearance of children, and sexual exploitation that occurred online.
Not only did each petition that was successful bring justice to the victims of the crime, but it also produced judicial precedents that strengthened constitutional rights for children across the country.
Putting the issue of child marriage to the forefront of the criminal justice system
In many societies, the institution of child marriage has been seen for a long time as a cultural tradition rather than a violation of human rights issues.
Changing that view was something that Bhuwan Ribhu accomplished through clever litigation and campaigning.
In October of 2024, the Supreme Court issued a major verdict in accordance with the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act. The ruling emphasized that child marriage is a criminal wrong that requires strict enforcement. The Supreme Court issued a ruling that officials who fail to prevent or disclose child marriages could be subject to prosecution.
The court also called on state governments to remove loopholes, such as the legal betrothal of children. Article 14 of the Constitution guarantees the right to equality before the law, while Article 21 guarantees the right to life and personal liberty.
This decision highlighted the profound fundamental commitment to equality before the law. Ribhu’s efforts established that every kid, regardless of gender or social status, is entitled to the constitutional promise of protection by defining child marriage as a criminal infraction rather than a tolerated custom. This was accomplished by positioning child marriage as a criminal offense.
How to Define Trafficking and Protect Children Who Have Gone Missing
The restricted legal definition of trafficking that India has in place was challenged by Bhuwan Ribhu in 2011. He argued that the concept did not comply with the Palermo Protocol for the United Nations.
Due to the circumstances surrounding his case, the Indian Penal Code was amended in 2013 to include a comprehensive anti-trafficking clause. With the implementation of this new law, the state’s capacity to prosecute traffickers and ensure that victims receive justice was enhanced.
At the same time, Ribhu’s petition on behalf of a nationwide children’s rights network led to a directive from the Supreme Court that mandated that every complaint regarding a missing child be registered as a First Information Report without any delay.
Consequently, the court affirmed a presumption that a child who has gone missing could be a victim of kidnapping or trafficking, which compelled the authorities to take prompt action. Administrative inertia was transformed into legal accountability as a result of these verdicts, which highlighted the fundamental requirements of equal protection under Article 14 and the right to life under Article 21.
Preventing the Exploitation of Online Data
Internet access has rapidly increased, which has resulted in the emergence of new venues for the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents.
Recognizing the danger that this situation posed, Bhuwan Ribhu brought the matter back before the Supreme Court in September 2024, contesting a ruling made by the High Court that minimized the severity of the crime of owning media that depicts child sexual abuse.
In accordance with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act, the Supreme Court has decided that the mere act of viewing or storing such content constitutes a criminal crime that can result in a punishment.
In addition, the word “child pornography” was changed to “Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material,” which is a more accurate representation of the severity of the harm that is inflicted on children.
Through this decision, the constitutional commitment to dignity and privacy that is outlined in Article 21 was reaffirmed, and the essential duty that is outlined in Article 51A(k) for people and the state to protect minors from being exploited and subjected to violence was taken into consideration.
Having an Impact on the World and Honoring the World Law Congress
The acknowledgment that Bhuwan Ribhu received at the World Law Congress in 2025 brings to light the worldwide significance of constitutional principles in the protection of the rights of children around the world.
Ribhu has been a source of inspiration for legal practitioners all around the world because he has demonstrated how domestic constitutional provisions may be utilized to adequately safeguard children.
The World Jurist Association awarded him the Medal of Honor, which served as a symbol of a worldwide celebration of the Rule of Law and brought attention to the fact that the rights of children are an essential component of any just legal order.
By demonstrating that constitutional democracy must continually renew its promise to protect the vulnerable, as well as the fact that such protection extends beyond national borders, Ribhu’s work helps to develop a shared international commitment to the dignity of children.
Proceeding with the Exploration
Despite the many triumphs he has achieved, Bhuwan Ribhu is completely conscious of the fact that the fight for the rights of children is still ongoing. He is the leader of the Just Rights for Children alliance, which is comprised of more than 250 groups from four different nations under his leadership.
The “Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat” campaign was initiated by him in November 2024. The objective of this campaign is to reduce the percentage of child marriages in India to less than five percent by the year 2029.
Concurrently, he has been a supporter of organizations in Nepal that are working toward the goal of ending child marriage by the year 2030. At the grassroots level, Ribhu’s coalition is working to translate constitutional pledges into actual social change through the use of programs such as seminars, policy debates, and local empowerment initiatives.
These initiatives are a reflection of the Directive Principles of State Policy that are outlined in the Constitution of India. They serve to remind both residents and government officials of the moral and legal obligation they have to safeguard every child.
The groundbreaking legacy of Bhuwan Ribhu demonstrates that constitutional rights are potent tools for achieving social justice.
Not only has his strategic lawsuit resulted in the reshaping of Indian legislation regarding child marriage, trafficking, and exploitation, but it has also played a significant role in transforming public perceptions, making abuses that were previously allowed unacceptable under the law.
The honor that he was awarded at the World Law Congress in 2025 acknowledges not just his own personal bravery but also the unwavering commitment of constitutional democracy to defend human dignity.
In spite of the fact that Ribhu’s work continues to motivate legal professionals, policymakers, and citizens in India and beyond, it continues to serve as a guiding light toward the realization of the constitutional promise of providing every child with justice, freedom, and protection.
