Today, on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

Today, on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, I honour the memory of my three colleagues who laid down their lives in our fight against human trafficking and slavery.

Dhoomdas was beaten to death by the stone quarry mafia in Faridabad.
Adarsh Kishore was gunned down for standing up to slave masters in Haryana.
Kalu Kumar lost his life while educating communities in Jharkhand, one of the largest source regions for child trafficking.

Their sacrifices are a stark reminder that the fight for freedom comes at a cost, but silence costs far more.

I also salute thousands of individuals, organisations, and governments who continue this fight with unwavering commitment. Yet this systemic injustice persists: children are still bought and sold for less than the price of animals. It continues because traffickers profit immensely with minimal risk and that profit fuels the cycle.

We urgently need strong laws, adequate allocation of resources, and accountable enforcement. Above all, we need compassion.

Compassion not as charity, but as a powerful moral force for action.