Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Abortion debate

I refer to the debate on the need to amend the abortion law in India, triggered by the Bombay High Court’s verdict refusing permission to Niketa Mehta to abort her 26-week-old foetus, which was diagnosed with a heart blockage in the 24th week of her pregnancy.

I do not think the law should be amended. Hypothetically speaking, if the 20-week limit — that the law stipulates on the termination of pregnancy — is extended, we will pave the way for the concept of ‘perfect and designer babies’ to gain currency. Pregnant woman may come under pressure to abort a foetus if it is found to have some deformity. An amendment to the existing law will cause havoc in society and create problems which will defeat the very purpose of the law.

Sonam Singh,

New Delhi

Niketa was right in seeking permission to terminate her pregnancy because it is she who is going to suffer the pain of having a child that is ill. Let alone the money required for the treatment of the child, the trauma the Mehtas will have to undergo is enormous. It is all very well to argue in favour of the rights of an unborn child. What about the right of a person who is alive?

I am sure Niketa is more concerned about her unborn baby than the people talking about foetus rights. How many of us are actually concerned about the fate of the thousands of children who die of malnutrition?

The arguments in favour of the foetus and its right to life smack of hypocrisy.

Manish Manglani,

New Delhi

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