AKHIL BHARATIYA JANWADI MAHILA SANGHATANA
(All India Democratic Women’s Association)
Maharashtra State Committee
Press Release:
The Maharashtra unit of the All India Democratic Women’s Association expresses its deep concern and distress about the series of incidents in the last few days wherein female foetuses ranging from 5-9 months have been found abandoned in Beed, Latur and some other districts of Marathwada.
The warning signals about the steep decline in child sex ratios in Maharashtra had been sent out more than a decade ago in the 2001 Census figures. The Maharashtra government, with whom squarely rests the responsibility of implementing the PcPNDT Act, chose to remain inactive and unresponsive to the situation. This has resulted in the growth of a network of doctors in different districts who are promoting, and profiteering from, sex selection. By 2011 census, Beed and five other districts, Jalgaon, Ahmadnagar, Buldhana, Kolhapur, Aurangabad and Jalna showed critically low sex ratios. However, the state government displays neither the political will nor strong action necessary to put an end to sex selective practices.
The recovery of 9 female fetuses from a river in Parali Vaijnath in Beed district a year ago or the various sting operations conducted by AIDWA and other women’s organizations across the state have revealed a deep rooted nexus between certain mercenary medical professionals and the state and district administration responsible for implementing the PcPNDT and MTP Acts. It is shocking that despite three cases registered against them, Dr. Sudam Mundhe and Dr. Saraswati Mundhe continued their abhorrent practices with impunity. The fact that they wielded such clout and terror is clear from the fact that the team that went to investigate their hospital had to do so with the help of police protection. It is shocking that the pair remains absconding to date, and the police department announces a paltry sum of Rs. 40,000 to report their whereabouts! It points to the immense political patronage that they have enjoyed from the ruling and the main opposition parties. Equally shocking is the complicit silence from the medical profession.
In such a situation, it is imperative that the State and Central governments, and elected bodies from the medical profession display a sense of purpose to bring to book those doctors who are blatantly flouting laws in pursuit of profit. What is required is the strictest implementation of the PcPNDT and MTP laws and all other rules regulating medical practice. To talk merely about changing social mindsets at this critical juncture would only divert away from the importance of regulating and monitoring sonography clinics and ensuring that MTP Act is properly implemented.
There is also a need to understand the plight of women and the circumstances that force them to undergo such dangerous abortions, rather than equating them as culprits with criminal doctors. It is imperative that the Government of Maharashtra responds by calling a meeting with representatives of women’s organizations to work out a joint strategy to deal with this situation of emergency.
AIDWA demands:
(Kiran Moghe) (Sonya Gill)
State President State Secretary
9422317212 9869250126
(All India Democratic Women’s Association)
Maharashtra State Committee
Press Release:
The Maharashtra unit of the All India Democratic Women’s Association expresses its deep concern and distress about the series of incidents in the last few days wherein female foetuses ranging from 5-9 months have been found abandoned in Beed, Latur and some other districts of Marathwada.
The warning signals about the steep decline in child sex ratios in Maharashtra had been sent out more than a decade ago in the 2001 Census figures. The Maharashtra government, with whom squarely rests the responsibility of implementing the PcPNDT Act, chose to remain inactive and unresponsive to the situation. This has resulted in the growth of a network of doctors in different districts who are promoting, and profiteering from, sex selection. By 2011 census, Beed and five other districts, Jalgaon, Ahmadnagar, Buldhana, Kolhapur, Aurangabad and Jalna showed critically low sex ratios. However, the state government displays neither the political will nor strong action necessary to put an end to sex selective practices.
The recovery of 9 female fetuses from a river in Parali Vaijnath in Beed district a year ago or the various sting operations conducted by AIDWA and other women’s organizations across the state have revealed a deep rooted nexus between certain mercenary medical professionals and the state and district administration responsible for implementing the PcPNDT and MTP Acts. It is shocking that despite three cases registered against them, Dr. Sudam Mundhe and Dr. Saraswati Mundhe continued their abhorrent practices with impunity. The fact that they wielded such clout and terror is clear from the fact that the team that went to investigate their hospital had to do so with the help of police protection. It is shocking that the pair remains absconding to date, and the police department announces a paltry sum of Rs. 40,000 to report their whereabouts! It points to the immense political patronage that they have enjoyed from the ruling and the main opposition parties. Equally shocking is the complicit silence from the medical profession.
In such a situation, it is imperative that the State and Central governments, and elected bodies from the medical profession display a sense of purpose to bring to book those doctors who are blatantly flouting laws in pursuit of profit. What is required is the strictest implementation of the PcPNDT and MTP laws and all other rules regulating medical practice. To talk merely about changing social mindsets at this critical juncture would only divert away from the importance of regulating and monitoring sonography clinics and ensuring that MTP Act is properly implemented.
There is also a need to understand the plight of women and the circumstances that force them to undergo such dangerous abortions, rather than equating them as culprits with criminal doctors. It is imperative that the Government of Maharashtra responds by calling a meeting with representatives of women’s organizations to work out a joint strategy to deal with this situation of emergency.
AIDWA demands:
- Immediate arrest of absconding Mundhe couple;
- No bail to the doctors found guilty in fresh cases of violation of PcPNDT and MTP Acts and cancellation of bail in previous cases facilities and helpline for women in distress;
- Fast Track courts for all pending cases;
- Widespread monitoring and inspection of all USG machines, sonography, and nursing homes, with immediate on the spot cancellation of licences if violations are found;
- No victimization and monitoring of pregnant women and women who have recently delivered. Counselling facilities and helpline for women in distress;
- All advisory committees at different levels set up under the PcPNDT Act must have representatives of active women’s organizations and health right activists.
(Kiran Moghe) (Sonya Gill)
State President State Secretary
9422317212 9869250126
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