FGM compromises bodily integrity: SC

Hearing PILs, one filed by an advocate and two by Bohra community women, the Supreme Court on Monday said Female genital mutilation (FGM) violates privacy and compromises with bodily integrity.

Voicing concern against the practise prevalent among the Bohra Muslim community, a bench led by Chief Justice Dipak Misra also felt that the act would be a crime under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POSCO) Act.

“Why anybody should be allowed to touch the genital of a human being? Why bodily integrity should be violated and compromised,” said Justice DY Chandrachud, a member of the bench.

The petition claims the circumcision causes pain during menstruation and sexual intercourse, loss of libido and even pain during urination.

Attorney General KK Venugopal cited the World Health Organisation (WHO ) report to point how genital mutilation affected the health of the women. He agreed with the bench’s view that it is a crime.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi opposed the PILs on behalf of a trust belonging to Bohra women. He said female circumcision is not the same as FGM and argued that the practice is part of the essentiality of the Dawoodi Bohra religion since centuries and the same would be protected under Article 25 and 26, right to practice and propagate religion. The court allowed all impleadment applications and fixed July 16 for further hearing.

NEWDELHI: