Bid to contain female foeticide

By Sarabjit Pandher

FATEHGARH SAHIB, AUG.11 The combination of a feudalistic attitude and a capitalistic path of development have literally proved lethal for the social index of Punjab, which otherwise prides itself on its prosperity. The unique socio-economic situation is considered responsible for the fall in the sex ratio and rise in the rate of female foeticide in different regions of the State.

The historic Gurdwara here was a hub of activity for quite a different and unique reason today. Under the aegis of the Punjab unit of the Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI), a meeting of granthis (Sikh priests) from nearby gurdwaras was organised to debate and begin implementation of some recommendations by experts and edicts from religious leaders, to stem the ever deteriorating sex ratio in the State, as depicted in the latest census report.

It is the first attempt of its kind to check female foeticide, especially by involving priests at the community level.

It may be recalled that on April 18, the Jathedar of the Akal Takhat, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, had issued a ``hukumnama'' (religious edict) forbidding all Sikhs from indulging in female foeticide.

Mr. Kesar Singh, who has been involved in social research in the region, while addressing the congregation indicated that despite satisfactory development indicators, Punjab and especially Fatehgarh Sahib district, had an alarmingly low sex ratio. He pointed out that at places like Chamkaur Sahib there were at least 15 villages were the sex ratio was not more than 700 females to every 1000 males. He claimed that at many places in the farming community, where a majority were Jat Sikhs, the sex ratio was 500:1000.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Other States
Previous : A step by step guide to progress
Next     : Chandigarh handed over to Punjab secretly: Brar