If Bohra comunity doesn't stop female genital mutilation, then govt will ban it: Menaka Gandhi

Union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi strongly stressed on the need to ban female genital mutilation (FGM) – a practice followed by the Dawoodi Bohra community.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Gandhi said that FGM was a criminal offence and if the community didn’t stop it voluntarily, then the government would bring in a law to ban the practice.

“We will write to respective state governments and Syedna, the Bohra high priest, shortly to issue an edict to community members to give up FGM voluntarily as it is a crime under Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, 2012. If the Syedna does not respond then we will bring in a law to ban the practice in India,” Gandhi said

Last week, the Supreme Court had sought the views of the Centre and four states in response to a PIL seeking ban on female circumcision. The Ministry of Women and Child Development had started consultations with community members and NGOs on the issue, after receiving several representations from Bohra women to end the custom, when the apex court stepped in 12 days ago.

Commonly called khatna, the custom is inflicted on young girls, usually when they are around six or seven years old. Carried out mostly by midwives, it involves cutting off the clitoral head, in the belief that it will curb a woman’s sexual drive.