For over a decade, India has been trying to change a deep-rooted social issue: gender bias. In Haryana, a state that was the launchpad of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao initiative in 2015, the fight against female foeticide remains far from over. A recent investigation by India Today has once again pulled back the curtain on a disturbing truth — a booming network of illegal sex determination and abortion clinics that are actively contributing to a decline in the state’s sex ratio at birth.
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Despite legal frameworks like the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act and awareness campaigns backed by the government, the preference for sons over daughters continues to fuel illegal activities. According to new data, Haryana’s sex ratio at birth has fallen from 923 girls per 1,000 boys in 2019 to a startling 910 in 2024. This trend not only exposes the limitations of enforcement but also reflects the enduring cultural mindset that undervalues girl children.
Crackdown: The State Responds
In response to the exposé, the Haryana government has initiated a massive crackdown. A task force led by Dr. Virender Yadav, Director of National Health Mission-Haryana, has been established to take immediate and sustained action. This multi-departmental team includes officials from health, women and child development, drug control, and law enforcement. Their mission: to enforce the law, penalize the violators, and work toward improving the skewed gender ratio.
As part of this effort, 300 out of 1,500 Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) centres have had their registrations cancelled or voluntarily surrendered. Twenty-three centres have been raided, 23 abortion centres issued notices, and 17 FIRs filed against online sellers of illegal abortion pills. The state is also targeting IVF and ultrasound clinics, many of which operate under the radar or show disproportionate gender ratios among births.
Holding Officials Accountable
The issue goes beyond private clinics — it implicates public healthcare systems as well. Medical officers of three Community Health Centres (CHCs) with the worst sex ratios have been chargesheeted. In five districts — Charkhi Dadri, Rewari, Rohtak, Gurugram, and Faridabad — PNDT nodal officers have been replaced. These measures signal a clear message: government negligence will not be tolerated.
This move toward accountability is crucial. Until now, lack of action or superficial inspections have allowed illegal practices to thrive. But real change demands more than token actions — it requires sustained, systemic correction.
A Mother’s Resistance: A Case That Speaks for Many
Among the many heartbreaking stories uncovered, one stands out. Pooja, already a mother of two girls, was forced by her in-laws to abort a third child after it was found to be female. But she made a brave choice — she left her marital home and gave birth to her daughter. Her story is not unique, but it is rarely told. In Pooja’s case, a criminal case is now being prepared against a woman named Usha, allegedly a tout involved in illegal abortions, and others including the doctor who conducted the sex determination.
This case has become a catalyst for wider investigations, proving how individual courage can sometimes move the needle in social reform.
Community Engagement and Support
To address the root cause, the Haryana government is now focusing on community outreach. Over 62,000 pregnant women with at least one daughter are being personally counselled via helpline 104. In addition, ASHA workers have been tasked with monitoring these pregnancies. They are now eligible for an incentive of ₹1,000 for the successful birth of a girl child — a small but meaningful step toward incentivizing change.
These grassroots efforts are critical. Combating female foeticide in Haryana isn’t just about closing illegal clinics; it’s about transforming attitudes and creating environments where daughters are welcomed, not mourned.
What Lies Ahead
Though the government claims the sex ratio has slightly improved to 911 girls per 1,000 boys since March, the challenge is far from over. Real change will require a multi-pronged strategy — strict enforcement, public education, media awareness, and above all, community participation. The fight against female foeticide is not just a legal issue; it is a cultural one.
Until families stop viewing daughters as burdens and sons as saviors, progress will be superficial at best. It is time for Haryana — and the country — to rethink what it means to value life equally, regardless of gender.
By – Jyothi
