Congress' Abhishek Manu Sanghvi defends FGM as a minority religious right!

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http://www.opindia.com/2018/07/congress-abhishek-singhvi-defends-female-genital-mutilation-as-religious-practice-govt-and-petitioner-seek-ban/

 

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Tiwari’s counsel Indira Jaising also reportedly argued that it is more a cultural practice rather than religious because the Bohras are the only Muslim community in India who practice it. Upon Singhvi’s argument that it is ‘circumcision’ and not mutilation and should be protected under the religious freedom granted, AG Venugopal reportedly retorted that male circumcision is done on infants and as there are even medical benefits attributed, female genital mutilation cannot be compared to it and FGM leads to several physical and psychological complications. Indira Jaising also reportedly argued that FGM causes girls undergoing FGM suffer from a trauma that continues in adulthood.

Around 5 lakh Bohras live in India. According to reports, almost 90% of Bohra women undergo the painful practice at 7-8 years of age. The FGM is almost always performed by women of the community or non-medically trained midwives. It not only causes pain and humiliation risking the hygiene and health of the girl but also causes a lasting memory of the ordeal, adding to long-term trauma.

The Supreme Court bench has deferred the matter to July 16 for further hearing. Singhvi has stated that the issue, like triple talaq, nikah halala and polygamy, should be referred to a five-judge constitutional bench.

He calls it a mere Female circumcision!