SC slams custom of genital mutilation

SC slams custom of genital mutilation

News:

1. Female genital mutilation has numerous health hazards associated with it and amounts to violation of right to life and dignity of a woman, Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra said recently.

Important facts:

2. The apex court’s observation came while hearing a PIL petition filed to ban female genital mutilation performed by some communities on children as a religious practice.
3. The petition said that the practice of female genital mutilation cannot be considered as an “essential practice” in religion as it can be brought under the ambit of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
4. The courts observations on the same:

• Justice D.Y. Chandrachud remarked that a woman’s complete control over her genitalia is central to identity, dignity and autonomy.
• Chief Justice Misra asked how such a practice can be imposed on women.
• No one can violate the integrity and the bodily privacy of a woman in the name of religion.

5.The government has also urged the court to issue directions against the practice.

6.Attorney-General K.K. Venugopal has submitted that female genital mutilation is punished with seven years’ imprisonment.

7.The international community has also condemned this practice.

8.Counter arguments:

• However, the Dawoodi Bohra Women’s Association for Religious Freedom, has contended that “khafz/female circumcision as practised by the Dawoodi Bohra community is not female genital mutilation.
• It is an essential part of their religion and protected under the Constitution.