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Female genital mutilation violative of bodily integrity, privacy, SC told
New Delhi, July 31 (IANS) The Centre on Tuesday told the Supreme Court the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Dawoodi Bohra community is violative of bodily integrity which is a part of right to privacy and dignity.
Referring to the reports of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) calling for prohibiting the practice of FGM, Attorney General K.K.Venugopal on Tuesday told the bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud that the practice was violative of bodily integrity which is part of right to privacy.
Asserting that FGM was not a part of essential religious practice of Dawoodi Bohra community, thus not protected by Article 25 and Article 26 of the constitution, Attorney General Venugopal told the court that the practice of FGM causes bodily harm which sometimes are permanent and come in the way of bearing children.
Seeking to put a stop on the practice, the Attorney General referred to the way Sati, Devadasi and Thuggery were outlawed.
When the Attorney General said that “it is irreversible”, senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi quipped saying “as irreversible as male circumcision”.
“Male circumcision is held to be good,” countered the AG, telling the bench that “42 countries have outlawed it (FGM) in all its form”.
Singhvi appeared for Dawoodi Bohra Women for Religious Freedom (DBWRF).
Contending that ‘we are not a backward country where all these practices can survive and perpetuate in the name of a essential religious practice’, Venugopal said: “We have a working positive constitution,” and merely because it is an old practice, it can’t continue.
The court is hearing a PIL by Sunita Tiwari seeking declaration that the practice of female genital mutilation prevalent amongst Dawoodi Bohra community is illegal and against the constitution.
Contending that FGM adversely affects sexual functions of the women, senior counsel Shyan Divan said it has both short term and long term medical implications on the girl child and later as she grows into woman.
Asserting that the practice of FGM is violative of fundamental rights, Divan told the bench it violates right to bodily autonomy, bodily integrity, dignity, special rights of girl and women and the right to health and well-being.
Divan had appeared for two Dawoodi Bohra community women Dilshaad Tavawalla and Shaheeda Kirtane.
As Singhvi sought to defend FGM as an old practice which is customary in the Dawoodi Bohra community, Justice Chadrachud said: “It is performed by a non-medical person, it is not performed by a medical doctor in hospital, it is touched not by mother or doctor and it touches the genital that causes pain, blood and trauma” and “child put under such a procedure will resist”.
Singhvi said that the FGM is done by the people who are doing it for generations, they are trained and follow standard operating procedures.
“It is done with the consent of the mother and by a highly qualified mid-wife,” Singhvi said, offering that in future, in each and every case, it will be done by qualified gynaecologist and doctors.
“When the mother is present, she will be more concerned about the child,” Singhvi said asserting that the practice was protected by Article 25 and Article 26 of the constitution as being essential to community’s customs.
“No doctor will perform such a procedure in the hospital. What is the scientific justification for a doctor to undertake such a procedure”, asked Justice Chadrachud.
Singhvi will continue his arguments on August 9.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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