The Supreme Court has called for strict enforcement of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act to counter the deep-seated patriarchal preference for male children and prevalent sex-selection practices. The court highlighted declining child sex ratios and the continued need for efforts despite government welfare schemes, stressing that true equality is yet to be achieved. The observations were made while dismissing a doctor's appeal in a PCPNDT Act violation case.
Police have arrested Dr Ravindra Kute, former president of the Indian Medical Association's Maharashtra chapter, for alleged involvement in an illegal sex determination racket.
'Even lower middle class parents in cities opt for just one child. A son is a must.'
The Delhi government's directive banning sending of genetic samples outside the city for advanced prenatal tests has hit opposition, with diagnostic players in the capital citing operational difficulties in complying with the order. This comes after the Annual Report on Registration of Births and Deaths in Delhi 2024 indicated that the city's sex ratio at birth (SRB) had dropped to 920 girls per 1,000 boys in 2024, down from 922 in 2023.
A cultural preference for sons in India may be expressed as 'son preference' or 'daughter aversion', arising from patrilocality, patrilineality, the cost of dowry, and old-age support from sons.
'The minister is not concerned about our daughters' well-being.' 'Just when the sex ratio for girls is showing an improvement across every district, the minister wants the onus to be on the women knowing very well that decision making in India is in the hands of the male.'
Earlier, the 47-year-old superstar had rubbished allegations over the pre-natal gender tests on his third child.
'If we follow the advice of the AYUSH ministry 100 per cent, then the next generation will be stunted.'
