A Sangli resident cremated his daughter in front of her in-laws’ home, after the latter forced her to undergo an abortion that claimed her life. This extremely tragic step taken by a father has sent shockwaves through the city. The report stated that his daughter was forced to undergo an abortion as she was carrying a girl child.

The incident underscores the appalling trend of punishing women for conceiving a girl child. It also reveals that our government and lawmakers have a long way to go when it comes to ensuring that the ban on sex determination tests is followed. Doctors who agree to female foeticide must be punished as they, apparently, have no qualms in ending lives - of the baby and, often, the mothers too. Though the report states that investigations in the Sangli case are on, we need to address this issue on a war footing. Let the probe steamroll ahead and the harshest punishments be awarded to the pregnant woman’s husband and the doctor if found guilty.