Send Us Email support@drharsh.co.in In Hindu ancient scripture Vedas expressly forbid abortion, except when mother life in danger.
A Rig Veda hymn begs for protection of fetuses: May This our song of praise reach you, O Marus, and Vishnu guardian of the future infant. May they vouchsafe the singer’s strength for
offspring. Preserve us ever more,ye Gods, with blessings.“(7.36.9). The Suhruta says” if the
foetus is alive, one should attempt to remove it from the womb of the mother alive…”” If it is
dead, it may be removed. In case the foetus is alive but cannot be safely delivered, surgical
removal is forbidden for one would harm both mother and offspring. In an irredeemable
situation, it is best to cause the miscarriage of the fetus, for no means must be neglected which
can prevent the loss of the mother”(Sutras 10-11).In Garbha Upnishad the abortion of a jivan
as a crime, which is intelligence or soul that as per the verses does not come alive until the 7th
month. The Mahanarayana Upanishad lists the abortionist with actions such as breaking one’s
vow of chastity. Brahma Kumaris and individual Hindus, hold varying stances about abortion.
According to Jain (Sramana) scriptures the Violence committed in killing of a sangini
panchendriya (5 sensory living and mind) is highest among killing other sensory organisms.
Abortion came under category of sensory living being with mind( Sanginipancheindriya), which
is equal to killing of a fully developed Human being.
In Buddhist scriptures abortion is regarded as a serious matter in the monastic rules followed
by both Theravada and Vajrayana monks: monks can be expelled for assisting a woman in
procuring an abortion. Traditional sources do not recognize a distinction between early and
late term abortion, but in Srilanka and Thailand the “moral stigma” associated with a abortion
grows with the development of the fetus. While traditional sources do not seem to be aware of
the possibility of abortion as relevant to the health of mother, modern Buddhist teachers from
many traditions and abortion laws in many Buddhist countries recognize a threat to life or
physical health of the mother as an acceptable justification for abortion as a practical matter,
though it may be seen as deed with negative moral or karmic consequences.
Christianity and abortion have a long and complex history, and there are a variety of
positions taken by contemporary Christian denominations on the topic. There is only one
reference to abortion as a procedure in either the Old Testament on the topic or the New
Testament books of the Christian Bible: However, certain other passages in the Bible have
been interpreted by anti-abortion Christians to mean that abortion is not morally acceptable.
The Quran does not directly address intentional abortion, leaving greater discretion to the
laws of individual countries. Although opinions among Islamic scholars differ over when a
pregnancy can be terminated, there are no absolute bans on a woman’s right to abort in Islam.
In Judaism views on abortion draw primarily upon the legal and ethical teachings of the
Hebrew Bible, the Talmud, the case by case decisions of response, and other rabbinic
literature. While all major Jewish religious movements allow or even encourage abortion in
order to save the life of a pregnant woman, authorities differ on when it is permitted in other
cases.
There were several debates are going on banning the abortion specially in United States of
America, several countries of European Union etc. on moral grounds. Catholic Christians are
especially against this practice citing live killing. Human rights activists, especially NGO
working for women rights are favoring lifting this ban.
In India after reviewing maternal death due to unsafe abortion practices the Medical
Termination of Pregnancy act 1971 on 10th of August 1971. It states that abortion can be done
by single practioner up to 12 weeks and by two practitioners after 12 weeks of pregnancy , not
more than 20 weeks. The conditions were imposed i.e. There is threat of life to mother or this
pregnancy will adversely affect mental and physical health of mother or the probability of child
to be born with physical and mental disabilities. The medical and the medical institution will be
registered in the State Medical Termination of Pregnancy register. It also includes pregnancy
out of rape .This act was amended on 25th march 2021. It says the constitution of the Medical
Board and length of pregnancy was increased to 24 weeks. It also includes this as part of the
family planning process. The Medical Board consists of a gynecologist, a pediatrician and a
radiologist or sonologist.
The abortion was technically known as Medical Termination of Pregnancy. It is tool for
females who want get rid of unwanted pregnancies out of rape, in living relationship, falure of
family planning methods, probable mental and physical deformities in unborn child and threat
to mother health due to pregnancies. Banning this right of women due to some religious myths
is not good for females mental and physical health. It is pertinent to note that women are
moving out of the areas to get rid of unwanted pregnancies. The death of the mother , who
was a doctor, also happened in Ireland. There was uproar internationally after this incident and
there was demand for repeal of these draconian laws. This is happening in several states in
the USA.
Regulated Medical Termination Of Pregnancy is demanded of an hour all over the world.
Question arises why women have no right on their own bodies?. The consent of the mother
should only be required for this procedure. The consent of one of the parents is only required
for women below adult age. We must give rights to women in this 21st century. The most
important suggestion is prenatal modern techniques to detect physical and mental
abnormalities in unborn children to avoid birth of these children , which became a burden on
families. Genetic analysis or profiling of parents for dominant genes of untreatable diseases
will reduce burden on families and society
