The president of the Akhil Thakor Ekta Samiti, Navghanji Thakor, has said the old practice of female infanticide was better than letting a girl marry outside the community. Thakor's Facebook post, that was eventually taken down by him, generated widespread criticism in a state that is battling dwindling sex ratio.
Thakor belongs to the same community as that of former Congress leader Alpesh Thakor, who on Thursday had announced his new stint with the BJP.
Navghanji's post on Facebook read: "If a daughter of the Kshatriya Thakor community were to marry into another community then we need to implement the old tradition of doodh peeti." Doodh peeti refers to female infanticide by drowning a newborn girl child in a vessel of milk. The practice is outlawed. Thakor did not take calls from DNA.
Meanwhile, Leela Ankoliya, chairperson of the Gujarat State Commission for Women, told media persons that they had taken note of the issue and would soon issue a notice to Thakor. He is also likely to be called before the Commission for an explanation.
Geniben Thakor, MLA from Vav, who is also from the same community, termed the remarks "unfortunate". "We need to educate our daughters. Overall the number of females is on decline in every community. The comment is very unfortunate," said Thakor.
A few days ago the Samiti had made a 'constitution' for its members which included residents of 12 villages which among other things banned cellphones for the community's unmarried women.
The 'constitution', that was put out following a meeting in Dantewada, also said that families whose children bring shame to the community will be fined Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh.
Though it didn't specify what particular shame the 'constitution' was referring to, it was understood that it was referring to inter-caste marriages by the community members. While the fine will be Rs 1.5 lakh for women who married outside the community, for men it will be Rs 2 lakh.
Notice In Offing
- State Commission for Women says it has taken note of the controversial post and will soon issue a notice to Navghanji Thakor
- He is likely to be called before the Commission and furnish an explanation
- Navghanji Thakor belongs to the same community as former Congress leader Alpesh Thakor, who has now joined BJP
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