SOS Village abusers should be punished

Indian celebs who had supported the world's largest orphan charity, SOS Village, react with shock at MiD DAY story about charges of child sexual abuse against two of its caretakers. They, however, say the NGO's good work should not be ignored

Indian celebs who had supported the world's largest orphan charity, SOS Village, react with shock at MiD DAY story about charges of child sexual abuse against two of its caretakers. They, however, say the NGO's good work should not be ignored

MiD DAY story SOS Village child sexual abuse

Bollywood celebrities who had at some point or the other supported the world's biggest orphan charity, SOS Village, reacted with shock and concern on Thursday at the MiD DAY story (March 12) of how at least two of its supervisors faced serious complaints of child abuse.

Village Director of the Jammu branch Sudesh Malla and Assistant Village Director Rameshwar Singh of the Faridabad branch near Delhi were transferred to other SOS Villages pending internal inquiry against them. Malla resigned. Singh is serving at a youth facility in Bareily pending inquiry. The girls were 15 and 12 at the time of the alleged incidents last year. No police complaint was filed.

SOS has 473 villages in nearly 125 countries, with more than 32 villages in India including in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Pune.

Big-ticket orphanage

The NGO is supported by the likes of Nelson Mandela, Dalai Lama, writer Stephen Hawking and soccer star Wayne Rooney globally. In India, celebs like actors Shabana Azmi, Mahima Chaudhry and Mandira Bedi, and the country's topmost politicians including Indira and Rajiv Gandhi, LK Advani and former Presidents Kalam and Shankar Dayal Sharma have been supported the Village.

BOLLYWOOD CELEBS WHO SUPPORTED SOS VILLAGE CAUSE SAY CHILD-SEX ACCUSED SHOULD PAY IF FOUND GUILTY

It is a terrible act. The perpetrators should get the highest punishment if found guilty. It should not drag in court. Till then, I want MiD DAY to keep the story alive, even if there is a trial by media - Mahima Chaudhry, actor

I thought it was one of the credible organisations and I was impressed by its functioning. I have read the story and if it is true, I am greatly disappointed. Strong action should be taken against the people involved - Mandira Bedi, actor and presenter

I was very impressed with the SOS Village in Assam. Frankly, no one can tell what one or two bad elements are up to in an organisation that big. These rotten apples can spoil the basket. We must look at their good work - Raveena Tandon, actor

Nobody can support this kind of incidents of alleged child sexual abuse. However, I have still not read the newspaper, and so will not be able to comment much more before going through the article - Indrani Dasgupta, model