The Supreme Court made observations much like it did earlier in July, which made those seeking ban on practice hopeful about the order will be favourable.
The hearing on public interest litigation (PIL) on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) or Khafz added hope to those seeking ban on the practice. On Monday, the Supreme Court made observations much like it did earlier in July, which made those seeking ban on practice hopeful about the order will be favourable.
The SC while hearing the PIL seeking the ban is said to have stated that the practice which is engaged to solely make a woman more appealing to husband cannot be held constitutional. It went on to state that one has supreme authority over genitalia and that it is central to one's identity, dignity and autonomy.
The spokesperson for Dawoodi Bohra Women’s Association for Religious Freedom (DBWRF), a trust that represents over 69,000, and fighting the case in SC said, "Hon'ble supreme court today, has heard one side of the argument. We have a lot to say and we represent our community and its beliefs which are pending. DBWRF is the voice of over 69000 Dawoodi Bohra Women across India. We have absolute faith in our judiciary system."
In the previous hearing, the SC had observed that the bodily integrity of a woman cannot be harmed and that there are proven benefits in the case of male circumcision as compared to the other. The practice is largely prevalent in the Dawoodi Bohra community.
"After today's hearing we again feel hopeful and that the Supreme Court may give a favourable order banning the practice," said Aarefa Johari, co-founder of Sahiyo, which is against the practice and seeking a ban.
Social activist Saleha Paatwala, who works for Voice for Girls and is an active member of WeSpeakOut — which has also filed a PIL said, "The practice is violative of the privacy of women. It violates Article 21 of the Constitution."
"The SC should look to put an end to it. You would mutilate a child who has no option. To hide behind religion is not correct because only a minuscule percentage in Islam is doing this and not even the entire community," said Shabnam Minwalla, whose mother is from the Dawoodi Bohra community and has written on the issue.
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