A recent BBC investigation has shed light on the horrific practice of female infanticide in rural India, particularly exposing the involvement of midwives in thispractice. The documentaryalso presents a social transformation – some midwives who once participated in the killings have now begun saving lives. This revelation has sparked renewed discussions on the curse of infanticide and raises a question: why are such cases significantly lower in the Muslim community compared to non-Muslim populations?
According to the BBC report, one midwife, Hakiya Devi, admitted to killing 12 or 13 babies, while another, Dharmi Devi, claimed to have killed at least 15-20. The true number of babies they might have killed is impossible to verify. These midwives were mentioned in a 1995 report by an NGO, based on interviews with them and 30 other midwives. If NGO estimates are accurate, more than 1,000 baby girls were murdered in a single district each year by just 35 midwives. At that time, Bihar had over half a million midwives, and the practice was not limited to this region alone.
The connection between midwives and infanticide has historical, cultural, and social dimensions. While midwives serve an essential role in maternal and newborn care, particularly in underserved areas, some reports and historical accounts have linked them to the practice of infanticide, especially in areas with a strong cultural preference for male children.
Rahamathunnisa A., National Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, commented, “There is nothing surprising in the documentary. It highlights the role of midwives in female infanticide, particularly in rural India, such as Bihar. We might conclude this is due to higher illiteracy in such areas. However, similar killings occur in urban hospitals before birth. In rural India, people lack access to such methods and wait until the baby is born.”
She added, “These atrocities reveal the mentality of average Indians towards girls and women. Practices like dowry, domestic violence, rape, and killings persist. As the Chief Justice of India recently mentioned, only by changing mindsets can we hope to transform society. Religious and moral values play a crucial role in this.”
Citing the lower rates of infanticide among Muslims, Rahamathunnisa added, “This is due to the strong religious instructions that prohibit such practices. Studies, including the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-21) and the UNFPA report of 2019, have shown that Muslims have a higher female-to-male ratio than Hindus. The Qur’an forbids female infanticide in verses 17:31 and 81:8-9, and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺemphasize the protection and equality of girls.”
S.Y. Quraishi, former Chief Election Commissioner and author of The Population Myth, also noted, “It is well-known that many Indians, driven by a preference for sons, continue having children until they get a male child. With the advent of sex determination tests, female foeticide has become rampant, despite strict laws against it. The Qur’an forbade female infanticide 1,400 years ago.”
“There are 939 females for every 1,000 males among Hindus, whereas among Muslims, the ratio is 951 females to 1,000 males. This difference could be attributed to lower rates of female foeticide among Muslims due to religious teachings,” Quraishi added.
The BBC documentary also exposes the systemic exploitation of poor, marginalized families, using them to carry out crimes like infanticide. In many cases, midwives were coerced into performing these acts, reflecting the broader societal belief that girls are a ‘financial burden’. Until this mindset changes, such practices will continue.
Culturally, mothers have been blamed for giving birth to female children, even among the educated, despite scientific evidence proving that the father’s chromosome determines the baby’s sex. This mentality, deeply ingrained in society, was rampant in pre-Islamic Arabia, but the Qur’an condemned it as an unpardonable sin, and the birth of a girl was proclaimed as good news. Islam teaches that men and women are created from the same Nafs (soul), emphasizing equality.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺrestored the dignity of women in society. He made mahr (a compulsory gift from the groom to the bride) a condition for marriage, gave good tidings ofParadise to those who raised daughters without discrimination. These teachings significantly improved the status of women in society, proving that change is possible through religious values.
Religious leaders today bear a responsibility to correct societal views on dowry and the treatment of girls. Since marriage is seen as sacred in Indian communities, these leaders can play a crucial role in ending harmful traditions. However, many continue to support such superstitions, while law enforcement agencies fail to take decisive action.
Historically, midwives have often been caught in the middle of these practices. While some midwives were involved in infanticide due to coercion, today, many are advocates for maternal and infant health, working to eradicate harmful practices like female infanticide through education and legal reforms.
This BBC documentary reminds us that societal change is possible, but it requires a collective effort to reshape mindsets, enforce laws, and promote the dignity of every child, regardless of gender.