Amod Kanth

Amod K. Kanth is an advocate for India social activist and child rights. He is a former IPS (IPS) officer and the founder of the NGO Prayas.^[1]

Amod K. Kanth
Born	Ranchi, Jharkhand
Citizenship	Indian
Education	BA in History from M.S. College, Motihari MA in History from Patna University LLB from Delhi University

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, the Founder of DCPCR (Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights) and the Founder of DWSSC (Domestic Workers Sector Skill Council). His work includes a national-level study on Child Abuse in India with the Delhi Government and Action Aid.

Education

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

Kanth has held multiple posts, including those of the DGP of Goa and Arunachal Pradesh. He has received the President's Police Medal and Gallantry Award for protecting civilians during the Delhi riots. He was involved in investigations, including those into the assassinations of Rajiv Gandhi and Lalit Maken, as well as investigations into narcotics and child abuse.^[2]

1988 to 2019 – Prayas and other causes

In 1988, Kanth formed Prayas, an organisation focused on the welfare, education, and protection of children, youths, women,^[1] and weaker sections of society through development activities involving individuals, corporations, the NGO, and the government.

Prayas JAC Society was established to support the welfare and rehabilitation of "Children in Need of Care and Protection" and Juveniles/Children in conflict with the law. The organization has grown to include pro-poor and child development activities, and socio-economic support programs for marginalized communities in various regions. Currently, Prayas includes approximately 315 centers/units, including 38 homes/shelters for Children, the Homeless, Adults, and Women across 13 States/UTs, serving an estimated 50,000 marginalized children, youth, and women. Prayas supports women through Self-Help Groups, income-generation initiatives, and entrepreneurship training. Prayas employs 753 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 the Global Violence against Children) sponsored by the Govt. of India, UNICEF and Save the Children UK, he was involved in research initiatives that informed discussions on 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-related initiatives in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.^[2]

Author

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 involving major political violence and security challenges, including the assassinations of Indira and Rajiv Gandhi, and the Delhi riots. The second volume details Kanth's accounts of high-profile criminal investigations, examining the Criminal Justice System.

Opposing the overturning of Section 377 and LGBT rights

Under his leadership, DCPCR appealed against the scrapping of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.^[6] In his arguments, attorney Amit Anand Tiwari, an advocate for DCPCR, said, "We studied various materials from medical journals and found studies that show that children of LGBT parents were more prone to social stigmatisation. In decriminalising homosexuality, the High Court did not devise any protection as far as adoption laws were concerned – whether gay and lesbian couples can adopt children, whether they have the right to adopt. These issues were not addressed by the High Court order". Kanth said, "Under the United Nations Convention on Rights of Children and under Indian laws, every child has a right to a family. And family is clearly defined as mother and father. Therefore, the High Court order was a direct denial of the child's right to a family and right to parenthood". The Commission's final submissions to the Supreme Court did not mention the issue of protection of child rights.^[6]

2008 to present – Politics

Amod K Kanth contested the Sangam Vihar Assembly Constituency of Delhi State from Indian National Congress ticket in November 2008.^[7] Kanth lost the 2008 Delhi Legislative Assembly election, placing as runner-up by 3,589 votes.

Awards and recognition

• Received President's Police Medals and Gallantry Award for proactive policing and outstanding services in saving thousands of victims of riots in Delhi.
• Received the Outstanding Social Worker on Child Welfare award by the Government of NCT Delhi.
• The U.S. State Department's Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP), 2005, cited Prayas as a model institution for childcare protection, rehabilitation, and social reintegration for those at-risk, particularly trafficking survivors in India.
• Received the Kumarappa-Reckless Award for his contribution to legal reforms for children by the National Association of Criminology.
• Kanth has been honored by Sandeep Marwah with the life membership of International Film and Television Club of Asian Academy of Film & Television at Noida Film City.
• The US Government has referred to Kanth as a "Global Hero" against Human Trafficking.^[1]