Tejaswin Raj of SFHS raises a social cause in Punjab & Haryana High Court

May 23, 2024

Tejaswin Raj, a 10th-grade student from Strawberry Fields High School, has taken a remarkable step by filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) under Article 226 of the Constitution of India before the Hon’ble Punjab & Haryana High Court in Chandigarh. He has highlighted the growing issue of smoking and vaping (electronic cigarettes) among the youth in the TriCity, emphasizing the ease with which these tobacco products are accessible online and through social media platforms. His petition bears the strong message: “Tobacco Users Die Younger.”

Appearing in person before the Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Lapita Banerji, Tejaswin’s initiative led the court to issue notices to the Union Government, the State Governments of Punjab and Haryana, and the UT of Chandigarh. The court also summoned Swiggy, Facebook, Blinkit, and Instagram to address the alleged violations of laws prohibiting the illicit trade and unauthorized sale of tobacco items and e-cigarettes online.

Tejaswin’s dedication and resolve in addressing this pressing social issue are commendable, serving as an inspiration to his peers and a testament to the impact that determination and hard work can achieve. This echoes the sentiment of the famous quote: “The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”