by Dr. Aijaz Ahmed and Rahat Jabeen

In the bustling streets of metropolitan cities across India, a heartbreaking reality unfolds daily—young children risking their lives to perform dangerous acts for public entertainment. These underage performers, often seen walking tightropes, juggling fire, or wielding heavy objects, are not merely showcasing skills; many are victims of exploitation, forced into these perilous acts due to poverty or coercion.
The Hidden Truth behind the Spectacle
Most passersby stop to watch, admire, and even donate money to these young performers, yet few questions how and why such little children engage in life-threatening acts. Are they willingly performing these stunts? Do they truly choose this as a profession, or is there a darker reality behind their performances?
From a young age, these children are compelled to train for these dangerous performances. Many of them are beaten and coerced if they refuse to learn. The streets become their stage, and their bodies bear the scars of forced labor. Though the public enjoys their feats, rarely does anyone stop to investigate the dark circumstances forcing these children into such a hazardous livelihood.
The public watches in awe, capturing videos and taking pictures, but no one stops to ask: Who are these children? Why are they here? Why aren’t they in school? This silent ignorance allows the cycle of exploitation to continue unchecked.
Since childhood, I have witnessed such performances but never questioned the circumstances behind them. However, a recent encounter in Old Delhi sparked my curiosity. One morning, while walking, I saw an eight-year-old girl struggling to lift a 10 kg hammer, attempting to push an iron rod into a hard macadamized road. A young man stood beside her, forcing her to continue. She cried and refused, appearing to plead that the hammer was too heavy. The road was nearly empty, I observed from a distance, hesitant and fearful, but eventually mustered the courage to intervene.
A Conversation That Revealed the Harsh Reality
Using a tactic, I asked the young man when the circus would begin, pretending to be an interested spectator. He dismissively told me it would take time and asked me to leave. However, I persisted, engaging him in small talk. Gradually, he started sharing bits about his life—his caste, his struggles, and his homelessness. But my true goal was to speak to the little girl.
I noticed that every time she tried to look at me, the man would glare at her angrily, making her in fear. After spending nearly an hour there, I realized he would not allow me to speak to her freely. Defeated, I left, but my heart remained burdened with questions.
Later that day, I returned to the same spot at noon, hoping to learn more. I saw the girl again, this time performing a dangerous tightrope act. As she balanced precariously, I captured the moment on my camera. After her act, I decided to give her some money, but a sense of unease crept in—how would the man react?
I approached carefully and saw another young boy collecting money. Without saying much, I handed him some cash. As the girl finished, I directly gave her Rs10, but she refused, saying, “Give it to my brother.”
I insisted, “No, I want to give it to you.”
The so-called brother then intervened, instructing her to accept it. Finally, she took it, and we exchanged a few words before the man interrupted again. But what she whispered something that left me utterly shocked.
A System of Exploitation
In a quiet, hesitant voice, she confessed, “I am an orphan. He is not my real brother. I was begging; I was taken from somewhere and brought here. Just like me, there are many other girls in this circus. We are beaten and forced to learn these acts.”
Her words confirmed a tragic reality—many of these children performing on the streets are either kidnapped or orphans with no legal guardians to protect them. They are forced into these acts under the guise of training, enduring abuse if they resist.
This encounter made me realize the hidden cruelty behind these street performances. While some individuals willingly pursue such acts as an art form, many children are forced into it against their will. They are denied education, safety, and a normal childhood. Instead, they are trained like circus animals, beaten if they refuse, and made to risk their lives daily for the entertainment of strangers.
This is not just poverty—it is a deep-rooted system of exploitation that thrives on ignorance. The public watches, enjoys, and pays, unknowingly funding the very system that enslaves these children.
Immediate Attention
While some individuals voluntarily perform such acts as an art form, many children are exploited and stripped of their innocence. This harsh reality demands immediate attention. The government, NGOs, and civil society must work together to rescue and rehabilitate these destitute children. Law enforcement should actively verify the identities of individuals forcing minors into such dangerous acts and ensure their safety. Regular identity checks must be conducted to prevent further exploitation. Those exploiting children must face legal consequences. Safe spaces should be created for rescued children, providing them with education and a better future. People must be educated on the reality behind these performances so they can report suspicious activities. It is time for society to open its eyes and take action to protect these vulnerable young lives.
Every child deserves a childhood, not a tightrope. Children deserve love, protection, education, care, and a future free from fear—not a life of forced performances and abuse. It is time for society to open its eyes and take action to protect these vulnerable young lives. Only with collective efforts can we put an end to this injustice and ensure that no child is forced to risk their innocence and life for survival.
About the Authors
Dr. Aijaz Ahmed
Dr. Aijaz Ahmed holds a PhD in Sociology from Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. Presently, he is pursuing a prestigious ICSSR Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Department of Social Medicine and Community Health at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, has an impressive academic profile. He has published five research papers in Scopus/UGC-Care journals, along with seven thought-provoking Articles in reputed newspapers. Dr. Ahmed has presented numerous research papers at national and international conferences and successfully completed a research project on Education Disruption during COVID-19 at the Indian Institute of Education, Pune.
He is also the author of 21 books for undergraduate level covering diverse areas of Sociology, and 1 general book on chronic diseases, reflecting his extensive knowledge and scholarly contribution.
Dr. Ahmed’s commitment to social impact is demonstrated through his work with the Delhi-based NGO “Make a Difference.” A four-time UGC-NET/JKSET qualifier, he also holds a PG Diploma in Higher Education and had done Bachelor of Education (B.Ed). His areas of specialization include Medical Sociology, Sociology of Chronic Diseases, and Research Methodology.
Dr. Ahmed has four years of teaching experience in higher education at government colleges affiliated with the University of Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir.
Mrs.Rahat Jabeen
Mrs. Rahat Jabeen holds a Master’s degree in Computer Applications (MCA) from BGSBU, Rajouri. She has recently qualified for the UGC-NET, paving the way for her PhD journey. Mrs. Jabeen has actively contributed to academia, presenting two research papers at national conferences and participating in various workshops. Additionally, she has co-author 10 books for UG-level andhas published a research paper in a reputed journal.
With teaching experience in government degree colleges under the University of Jammu, Mrs. Jabeen has demonstrated a strong commitment to education and research. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Computer Science, further advancing her academic and professional expertise.