Mandya district records lowest birth sex ratio in Karnataka, study shows
Mandya: Despite awareness campaigns and programmes by both the central and state governments to protect the girl child, Mandya district continues to report the lowest child sex ratio (0–6 years) in Karnataka, according to a recent Child Rights Index report released by the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR).
The study, cited by The New Indian Express on Sunday, identifies several districts in the state with low sex ratios at birth, including Mandya, Bagalkot, Bidar, Chikkaballapur, and Kalaburagi, with ratios below 900 in certain years. India’s SDG Index, in comparison, targets a sex ratio at birth of 950 females per 1,000 males.
Mandya has consistently witnessed a low sex ratio over the past four years: 884 in 2020, 873 in 2021, 877 in 2022, and 887 in 2023. Other districts fared slightly better in 2023, with Bagalkot at 919, Bidar 920, Kalaburagi 910, and Chikkaballapur 937, although most of these districts had ratios below 900 in 2022.
The study, conducted by S. Madheswaran and B.P. Vani of the Institute for Social and Economic Change, notes that the child sex ratio in Karnataka was relatively stable until 2011 but has declined to 916 during 2018–20. Historically, the ratio dropped from 975 in 1981 to 946 in 2001, inched up to 948 in 2011, and fell again in recent years.
The study cites sex-selective abortions, imbalance at birth, and excess female infant mortality as key contributors. “There are various factors responsible for low female ratio, including gender-based differences in feeding practices, healthcare-seeking behaviour, and differences in immunisation rates between boys and girls,” states the report. Additionally, declining fertility rates and reduced family sizes influence overall sex ratios.
Venkatesh, a KSCPCR member in Mandya, highlighted the difficulty in tracking illegal abortion centres. In one instance, an ultrasound facility operating inside a jaggery factory reportedly referred patients to abortion centres.
“After doing an ultrasound, they referred these patients to various abortion centres. When we come across issues like female infanticide, we inspect the place and, on finding evidence, we report to the police. However, the issue is still a matter of concern,” TNIE quoted him as saying.
Venkatesh added that authorities do not want Mandya to be known as a centre for female infanticide and noted that the practice continues, particularly when parents want their first child to be a son or do not want a second girl child.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Chhattisgarh: Couple, two grandchildren killed over 'property' dispute; two relatives held
Janjgir (Chhattisgarh) (PTI): An elderly couple and their two grandchildren were allegedly murdered by two close relatives to grab family property in Chhattisgarh’s Janjgir-Champa district, police said on Thursday.
The couple’s one son, who had earlier spent 15 years in jail for killing his own brother, and his son have been taken into custody in connection with the murders, an official said.
The bodies were found inside their under-construction house in Bhanvtara village under the jurisdiction of the Shivrinarayan police station after labourers reached the site for work in the morning, a senior police official said.
The deceased were identified as Medani Prasad Kashyap (70), his wife Kanti Bai (65), their grandchildren Pitambar Kashyap (17) and Mogra (25).
The deceased couple’s son, Sonsai, and his son Dakeshwar have been taken into custody in connection with the murders, the official said.
According to the preliminary investigation, Medani Prasad had three sons, including Sonsai. Police said Sonsai had murdered one of his brothers in the past and had served a 15-year jail term in the case, while the couple’s third son had reportedly died by suicide.
Sonsai and his son Dakeshwar, alias Golu, allegedly killed his parents and the children of his two deceased brothers with an axe while they were asleep in the under-construction house, he said.
Pitambar was the only son of one deceased brother, while Mogra was the only daughter of another, the official said.
The accused allegedly wanted sole ownership of the family property and are suspected of having committed the crime to eliminate other claimants, police said.
A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway, the official added.
