An Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise have landed in an unusual controversy after social activist CM Shivakumar Nayak threatened to file an FIR against Rajasthan Royals over the inclusion of 15-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi.
The activist has described the teenager’s participation in the league as a case of “child labor” and accused the franchise of exploiting a minor by making him compete in one of cricket’s biggest commercial tournaments.
Speaking during a televised debate, Nayak said the youngster should be focused on his education rather than playing in a high-pressure professional league. He also claimed that allowing a minor to feature in such a tournament sets the wrong example and amounts to a violation of child rights.
The remarks have triggered debate around Suryavanshi’s presence in the IPL at such a young age, especially as the teenager continues to impress with his performances this season.
However, the matter appears to be more of a public controversy than a legal one for now, as there has been no indication of any formal action against the player’s participation.
Under Indian law, child labor restrictions apply to children below 14 in all occupations, while adolescents aged 14 to 18 are barred from hazardous work. That has added a legal grey area to the discussion, with professional sport not fitting neatly into the conventional definition of child labor.
