Bengaluru: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a scathing attack on Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, accusing him of failing to address a female foeticide racket allegedly operating within his constituency. The BJP's criticism comes amid increasing concern over illegal sex determination and abortion practices in the state.
The controversy gained momentum after Bengaluru police unearthed a female foeticide racket, leading to the arrest of nine individuals, including two doctors. Investigations revealed that the gang had allegedly carried out 242 illegal abortions of female foetuses in the last three months alone, charging ₹20,000 to ₹25,000 for each abortion, with an additional ₹5,000 for sex determination. It is also reported that the gang may have performed nearly 900 abortions in the last three years.
The BJP has seized upon these reports to target Siddaramaiah, questioning his administration's commitment to upholding the law and protecting the rights of the girl child. The party has urged the Chief Minister to focus on his constituency and ensure that such illegal activities are stamped out.
In response to the scandal, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to probe the matter. He has also instructed officials to take steps to prevent female foeticide and child marriages in the state. The state government has also ordered a probe into illegal abortions in private hospitals and clinics following reports of female foeticide cases from Mysuru and Mandya districts.
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has condemned female foeticide as unacceptable and has directed officials to track every pregnancy and collect data from scanning centers to monitor abortions.
The Matha hospital in Mysuru, where the abortions were allegedly taking place, has been shut down. While health department officials claim the hospital was operating illegally and had been shut down months ago, local police sources indicate that the notice from the health department only surfaced recently.
The controversy has sparked a wider debate about the implementation of the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act and the need for greater vigilance to prevent sex-selective abortions. Activists have called for stricter enforcement of the law and increased awareness campaigns to change societal attitudes towards the girl child.
This is a developing story, and further details are awaited as the CID investigation progresses. The BJP's allegations have added a political dimension to the issue, raising questions about governance and accountability in the state. The focus remains on ensuring justice for the victims and preventing future occurrences of such heinous crimes.
