Can abortion laws in India prevent sex-selective foeticide?
• Sudheer Lankappa, Clinical Lecturer • Rani Prajwala The Longley Centre, Norwood Grange Drive, Sheffield, S5 7JT Infanticide practices have been documented in India since 19th century. British policy makers in India first addressed these issues in 1870 by passing ‘Infanticide Act’. Again in 1961 Government of India passed ‘Female Infanticide Act’ to prevent killing of female infants. Widespread illegal abortion prompted the introduction of ‘The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act 1971’ (MTP) which was passed in 1973 to legalise the abortion. It was widely acknowledged that this would significantly reduce morbidity and mortality relating to illegal abortions. The act covered wide range of indications for termination including mental illness arising due to continuation of the pregnancy. The act stipulated various requirements to perform the procedure. Unfortunately vast majority of terminations were performed by untrained persons and in poor hygienic conditions. Easy accessibility to n
