"In most cases, underprivileged children are used as pickets in different political programmes. The situation has worsened further," said Awami League presidium member Tofail Ahmed at the discussion on 'Political activities and protection of children' at the Spectra Convention Centre in the city.

Mujahidul Islam Selim, general secretary of Communist Party of Bangladesh, termed the situation the obvious result of corporate culture, where politicians do business and businessmen do politics.

"Since politicians need readymade crowd, the event manager brings in children who are paid less than adults," he added.

Rashed Khan Menon of the Workers' Party called for an end to social and political violence.

Citing the examples of revolutionary Khudiram Bose, poet Sukanta Bhattacharjee's Kishore Bahini (juvenile brigade) and the young martyrs of the Liberation War, he said children should be inculcated with political ideologies in order to prepare them as future leaders.

Suman Sengupta, country director, Save the Children UK, said the political parties should consult with children while drawing up plans for them in the election manifesto.

Brigadier (retd) Sakhawat Hossain and UM Habibunnesa of Save the Children UK also spoke at the roundtable moderated by Rahman Mostafiz moderated the programme.