The Supreme Court has agreed to examine a plea seeking a ban on female genital mutilation (FGM) practiced within the Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community. The court issued a notice to the Centre and the Ministry of Law and Justice, acknowledging the NGO’s argument that FGM is not an essential part of Islam and violates children’s rights. NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Friday agreed to examine a plea to ban practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) or female circumcision prevailing in Muslims, specially Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community and issued notice to Centre and ministry of law and justice seeking their response.A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna & R Mahadevan issued notice on a PIL filed by NGO Chetna Welfare Society which alleged that the practice was not an essential part of Islam and it amounted to violation of rights of children who are forced to undergo FGM. Senior advocate Shashi Kiran and lawyer Sadhana Sandhu, appearing for the organisation told the court that various agencies including WHO, UN agencies and human-rights bodies have repeatedly called for states to prevent, criminalise and eliminate FGM as medical evidence showed that short-term and long-term physical and psychological harms are caused due to it.”It is further submitted that there is not any independent law specifically banning this. The act itself falls under multiple offences relating to causing hurt under BNS, such as sections 113, 118(1), 118(2), and 118(3). Even in Pocso Act, touching the genitalia of a minor for non-medical reasons is a violation. It is submitted that WHO has classified FGM as a gross violation of human rights of girls and women. It violates the fundamental guarantees provided by Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Furthermore, FGM is a serious health concern as it can cause infections, problems relating to childbirth, and other severe physical impairments. In Dec 2012, UNGA adopted a unanimous resolution which called for elimination of FGM,” the petition said.It said approximately 75% of women of the community put their daughters to the barbaric practice of FGM and pleaded the court to intervene to put to end the practice. The petitioner said several countires including US, UK, Australia, and several African countries have banned FGM but India does not have a specific law banning FGM. “Dawoodi Bohras are a religious denomination within Shia Islam. They are the most well-known Muslim community in India to practice FGC, known as Khatna in the community – a ritual that many Islamic scholars around the world do not endorse. While the Quran does not sanction FGC, Daim al-lslam, a religious text followed by this community, does endorses the practice,” the petition said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosCyclone Ditwah Approaches India: Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh Brace For Impact’Op Sindoor Was Just A Glimpse Of Future Theatre Commands’: Air Marshal Ashutosh DixitPM Modi Unveils World’s Tallest Bronze Statue Of Lord Ram In South GoaIndia Says US Trade Deal Is ‘Only Matter Of Time’ As Tariffs Reshape Bilateral Trade NegotiationsPM Modi Joins Over 1 Lakh Devotees In Mass Bhagwat Gita Recitation At Udupi EventIndia’s Updated Quake Map Warns Entire Himalayan Arc Faces Major Risk, Forcing Urgent Safety Reforms’They Are Ours, We’ll Prove It’: Pakistani Leader’s Absurd Claim On ‘Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan’Cyclone Ditwah Intensifies, Monsoon Fury Slams Sri Lanka With At Least 56 Dead And Dozens MissingViral Video: Stage Crashes During UP Wedding As BJP Leaders Gather To Greet Bride & GroomIndia-Russia Summit Dates Out As PM Modi, Putin Review S-400, Su-57 And Global Security Challenges123PhotostoriesRebellious lovers who break every rule to define love in Bollywood moviesAnkita Lokhande reveals she is returning to Laughter Chefs season 3; Krushna Abhishek says ‘We will celebrate Christmas with our Bhauji’4 simple exercises that can help relieve foot pain from diabetic neuropathyGirija Oak Godbole: Surprising facts about the ‘blue saree girl’ you didn’t knowFrom Pythons to Koalas: 5 sleepyhead animals that nap their way through most of the day2 effective drinks to control blood sugar naturally and how to make them at homeRanbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt to Randeep Hooda: Actors who disappeared with their rolesFrom Saraayah to Sipaara: A look at 2025 Bollywood baby names and their meanings5 countries with zero airports, yet travellers make it in for the experienceSobhita Dhulipala to Shanaya Kapoor: 5 breathtaking celeb looks of the day123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodayNew Labour CodeWorld NewsGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingSaquon BarkleyLaMelo BallDonald TrumpDana WhiteAyesha CurryFuzzy ZoellerJammie BookerMarcus FolignoCalgary FlamesVanessa Bryant
NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Friday agreed to examine a plea to ban practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) or female circumcision prevailing in Muslims, specially Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community and issued notice to Centre and ministry of law and justice seeking their response.A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna & R Mahadevan issued notice on a PIL filed by NGO Chetna Welfare Society which alleged that the practice was not an essential part of Islam and it amounted to violation of rights of children who are forced to undergo FGM. Senior advocate Shashi Kiran and lawyer Sadhana Sandhu, appearing for the organisation told the court that various agencies including WHO, UN agencies and human-rights bodies have repeatedly called for states to prevent, criminalise and eliminate FGM as medical evidence showed that short-term and long-term physical and psychological harms are caused due to it.“It is further submitted that there is not any independent law specifically banning this. The act itself falls under multiple offences relating to causing hurt under BNS, such as sections 113, 118(1), 118(2), and 118(3). Even in Pocso Act, touching the genitalia of a minor for non-medical reasons is a violation. It is submitted that WHO has classified FGM as a gross violation of human rights of girls and women. It violates the fundamental guarantees provided by Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Furthermore, FGM is a serious health concern as it can cause infections, problems relating to childbirth, and other severe physical impairments. In Dec 2012, UNGA adopted a unanimous resolution which called for elimination of FGM,” the petition said.It said approximately 75% of women of the community put their daughters to the barbaric practice of FGM and pleaded the court to intervene to put to end the practice. The petitioner said several countires including US, UK, Australia, and several African countries have banned FGM but India does not have a specific law banning FGM. “Dawoodi Bohras are a religious denomination within Shia Islam. They are the most well-known Muslim community in India to practice FGC, known as Khatna in the community – a ritual that many Islamic scholars around the world do not endorse. While the Quran does not sanction FGC, Daim al-lslam, a religious text followed by this community, does endorses the practice,” the petition said.
