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Summary: Norwegian authorities objected to the parents' hand feeding the children, equating it to force feeding. But what first seemed to be cultural differences have now turned out into a custody battle. Norway has been criticised in the past for putting too many children into public care.
[23 January 2012] - An Indian couple are battling in Norway for the custody of their two children, who have been taken away and sent to foster care by Child Protective Services, NDTV reported. The situation has created a diplomatic confrontation, with India's External Affairs Minister SM Krishna expected to speak to his counterpart in Norway on Monday. "At the highest levels in our diplomatic sectors, we are in touch with the Norwegian government. And we are hopeful that an amicable settlement of this question could be arrived at," the minister was quoted as saying. Whatever support the family needs will be provided, he added. Krishna urged the Indian ambassador on Sunday to speak to the Norwegian Foreign envoy and demand the children be returned to their parents. He also reportedly urged the envoy to lodge an official protest. NDTV reported that in May 2011, Anurup and Sagarika Bhattacharya lost custody of their toddlers - three-year-old Avigyan and one-year-old Aishwarya - after Norwegian authorities objected to them hand feeding the children, equating it to force feeding. Norway's Child Protective Service took equal objection to the children sleeping in the same bed as the father, insisting the boy must have an independent bed. When contacted by NDTV, the head of Norway's Child Welfare Services denied the account of the parents. "The Child Welfare Service has a responsibility to intervene if measures at the home are not sufficient to meet a child's needs. Examples are when there is every probability that the child's health or development may be seriously harmed because the parents are incapable of taking adequate responsibility for their child. The Norwegian Child Welfare Act applies to all children in Norway, regardless of the child's nationality, citizenship or cultural background," NDTV quoted Gunnar Toresen, Head of Child Welfare Services from Stavanger, Norway, as saying. Norway's Child Protective Service is a powerful body charged with protecting the rights of children living in difficult family situations. But there are many reports of excesses. "There has been a report in UN in 2005 which criticised Norway for taking too many children in public care. The amount was 12,500 children and Norway is a small country," said Svein Kjetil Lode Svendsen, a lawyer. What seem to be cultural differences have now turned out into a full-fledged legal battle for the children's custody. Parents have visitation rights once or twice a year. The Bhattacharyas have already lost a legal case against the issue and the children will be in the care of foster parents until the age of 18, NDTV said. "Nowhere in the petition does it say cruelty to the children or abuse. The question is what gives the Norwegian authorities the right whether morally, or even international rules to take away these babies from their parents? On what basis have they kept them? How can they do this? This is against all international norms," said CPM leader Brinda Karat. [Sources: 7Days and NDTV] Further Information: