Cuttack (VISAKEO): The bane of female foeticide in the country cannot be eradicated without involvement of religious leaders and spiritual gurus who have mass following, said former Union Health Minister and BJP MP Sushma Swaraj here on Saturday.
No amount of law or regulation can put an end to the practice that is rampant across States and communities of the country and has begun to cause social imbalance of disastrous proportions.
The evil practice was not evident in the poorer sections or States. It was more prevalent in the forward States like Haryana, Punjab, Delhi and the flourishing communities like Sikhs and Jains.
''I have started talking to the religious leaders of these communities and sects and they are ready to extend their mite,'' she said. The mothers are not willing to get rid of their unborn daughters but they are forced by their families, particularly the elders.
The elders have great faith in the religious leaders and gurus and would heed the latter's instructions. She also advocated roping in celebs, who have only daughters to campaign against foeticide on a more larger scale.
Swaraj launched the Jago Maa Jago nationwide campaign for protection of female foetuses spearheaded by the All India Marwari Yuva Mahasangha here.
The campaign would involve youth to create awareness on the despicable practice through publicity, door-to- door approach, community meetings, competitions, cultural programmes, school and college interventions.
Every person would be motivated to take a pledge not to resort to female foeticide. She also observed that the developments in science and technology amidst all its boons had also added to the menace by enabling people know the gender of their child before birth.
The aggressive family planning programme also added to it in some way or the other.
State Higher Education Minister Samir Dey, MPs Surendra Lath and Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo, member of National Commission of Women Manju S Hembram, Cuttack Mayor Nibedita Pradhan, national convenor of the campaign Sampati Moda and national president of the manch Anil Jajodia were present.
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