When this article reaches readers, doctors would have safely terminated the severely abnormal foetus of Miss X. It is a moment of pride that Miss X has been permitted access to legal abortion (despite crossing the cut-off limit of 20 weeks) by the Supreme Court. Transgressing beyond the literal interpretation, the judges have delivered a progressive and path-breaking judgement. It is indeed a big boost to the women's rights movement in the country. Miss X approached the court and got justice, but what next? How many women will require to seek judicial intervention?
How many pregnancies are detected to have substantial anomalies after 20 weeks? How many women seek termination? We don't have statistics. Many will be compelled to undergo illegal termination as it will amount to a criminal act under Section 312 of the Indian Penal Code. Any Indian gynaecologist, if asked, will say that a…
