Nipped in the bud

 

 

“Sex determination test before delivery is banned all across the country. It is illegal; many people would even label it as a disgrace to the scrupulous medical profession. It is quite possible that many women activists would demand my death by hanging. But such people do not think about the aspect that I reflected upon before starting this illegal work. I often come across girls who are suffering for being just that – a girl. Parents long for a son but when fate presents them a daughter instead, she bears the brunt of their angst and disappointment.

It is a well known fact that even in the 21st century, our society considers the girl a curse. People still believe that a son would carry forward the family name and would take care of them in their old age. But if it is a daughter, then you would always be looked down upon in the society. Under such circumstances, if a girl is born in such a family she is likely to be tortured for the rest of her life.

Sex determination tests are conducted in most hospitals blatantly. This might be uncomfortable for you to digest, but this is the truth. My purpose of breaking the law has more to do with the social cause than earning money. I am completely against the ban. I agree that it is a social evil but banning isn’t a solution. How concerned the women-empowerment-sloganeering government and social organisations are for our hapless women is there for all to see. If they are not killed in the womb, they will anyway be killed after birth. After all, female infanticide is rampant in our country. And if by any chance they stay alive, their lives will be worse than hell. Who comes to a hospital for sex determination before pregnancy? Obviously, those who desire a son. These are the same people who do not respect women and behave atrociously with them. It is quite possible that you have not come across such daughters who are born in families where a boy was prayed for. I have seen them cursing themselves, leading really wretched lives.

And in case you didn’t know, such discrimination is more a case in the affluent and educated families. Most of the people who come to me are from this stratum of society. I am saying this because it is generally believed that education enlightens people and thus can eradicate social evils. Those who visit me are quite educated. Then what relevance does class have? That is why I believe that those people who do not want a daughter, they should be allowed both sex determination test as well as abortion. It is better that they don’t come to this world instead of being resigned to neglect and utter contempt.”

BRASS TACKS

According to the 2001 Census, the sex ratio (females per 1000 males) in India is 946 in the rural sector and 900 in the urban. The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act of 1994 was amended with effect from February 14, 2003. It brought within its ambit the techniques of pre-conception sex selection. The Act prescribes punishments for contravention of its provisions – imprisonment up to five years and a fine up to Rs 1,00,000.