Bohra community justifies female genital mutilation practice in top court

New Delhi: Senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who appeared for Dawoodi Bohra community, justified in the Supreme Court on Tuesday female genital mutilation (FGM) as “integral aspect of religious practice”. Making this submission before a three-judge Bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud hearing petitions from advocate Sunita Tihar and others challenging the practice of FGM, Singhvi contended that it has the sanction of religious texts.

Making this submission before a three-Judge Bench hearing petitions from advocate Sunita Tihar and others challenging the practice of FGM, Dr Singhvi contended that it has the sanction of religious texts. He said, “It is an essential aspect of Islam and cannot be subjected to judicial scrutiny. Quoting from religious texts, he demonstrated that this practice has been followed for centuries.

FGM or khatna is a practice prevalent among the Dawoodi Bohra religious community of Shia sect, as it is a crime and punishable offence. This practice is an age-old tradition in this community to mark the arrival of womanhood. The court had already orally expressed its disapproval to this practice. The Centre had supported the petitioners stating that the FGM is a crime with a punishment of seven years of imprisonment under the existing laws don’t permit FGM and that the court can further clarify on the matter and issue guidelines.