Protectors turn predators: how son preference fuels female foeticide rackets in Maharashtra

Dr. Chandrakant Gunda Gaikwad, a former district civil surgeon and assistant director, has been linked to a female foeticide ring in Maharashtra. Despite previously serving as part of the government’s 'Save the Girls' campaign, Gaikwad was arrested by Kolhapur police on July 31 for allegedly performing 200 to 250 illegal abortions.

The operation was based in Kolhapur, the home district of State Health Minister Prakash Abitkar. Gaikwad is accused of orchestrating the racket, which also involved family members, pharmacists and others profiting from the crime. Despite the arrest, Gaikwad and others continue to evade punishment, highlighting the lack of accountability.

Kolhapur resident Sunanda Patil explains that female foeticide is an ongoing issue in Maharashtra, with women either terminating pregnancies or continuing to give birth until a son is born. In the Marathwada region, where illegal abortion rings have long existed, Beed district has a notorious reputation. The most infamous case involved Dr. Sudam Munde and Dr. Saraswati Munde, who allegedly aborted up to 20 female foetuses daily by feeding aborted fetuses to dogs.

Despite this case, illegal abortion networks still operate covertly. The generational pressure for boys drives tragedies across the state. Renu, a woman who has given birth to two sons, became pregnant a third time out of concern for her family’s son preference. When she sought an abortion, the procedure was botched, leaving her with lasting physical pain and no avenue for justice.

The National Family Health Survey 2019-21 reveals a strong preference for sons in Maharashtra, with only 4-5% of women and men desiring more daughters. This deep-rooted gender bias drives the continued prevalence of female foeticide, despite efforts by activists like Dilasa Samajik Vishwast Sanstha founder Roopa Shah, who believes that women must take action to combat the issue.