Netizens discuss ethics of surrogacy after Nayanthara-Vignesh Shivan welcome twins
What's the story
On Sunday evening, filmmaker Vignesh Shivan posted a series of adorable photos and announced the birth of his twin baby boys with his wife and actor Nayanthara. Since then, they received congratulatory messages and best wishes. However, as the couple got hitched in June this year, Twitter is now teeming with a heated discussion about whether the babies were adopted or born through surrogacy.
Context
Why does this story matter?
In his post, Shivan thanked his "ancestors' blessings" and "all the good manifestations made" which converged together for the birth of their "Uyir" and "Ulagam." #Nayanthara began trending immediately and several netizens pointed out that "they must have gone for surrogacy since she is 37." Notably, several Indian celebrities have opted for surrogacy, such as Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar, and Priyanka Chopra.
Twitter Post
Here's what Shivan posted
Nayan Me have become Amma Appa❤️
— Vignesh Shivan (@VigneshShivN) October 9, 2022
We are blessed with
twin baby Boys❤️❤️
All Our prayers,our ancestors’ blessings combined wit all the good manifestations made, have come 2gethr in the form Of 2 blessed babies for us❤️😇
Need all ur blessings for our
Uyir😇❤️ Ulagam😇❤️ pic.twitter.com/G3NWvVTwo9
Trolling
Couple started getting trolled for 'setting a wrong precedent'
The celebrity couple came under the scanner of people who consider surrogacy "unethical" and "unfair"; some pointed out that surrogate mothers are not paid a fair amount. Others also blamed the pair for "setting a wrong precedent in front of the society by not going for natural birth." One such Twitter user wrote, "Ancestors bless in pregnancy, not in practices like surrogacy!!"
Twitter Post
Take a look at one such tweet here
Surrogacy is banned in India
— Kasturi Shankar (@KasthuriShankar) October 9, 2022
except for medically inevitable reasons. This is the law from Jan 2022.
We are going to be hearing a lot about this for next several days.
Support
Nayanthara also found immense love and support online
Amidst all this trolling, the Godfather actor also found support online. Several netizens were of the opinion that "it's the couple's choice to not reveal whether the babies were born through surrogacy." Some also tweeted that to say Nayanthara did this "to save her beauty" was sexist and insensitive. One fan wrote, "Doesn't matter how this happened, but they are parents now!"
Know the law
Is surrogacy legal in India?
Indian laws ban commercial surrogacy but allow altruistic surrogacy. Commercial surrogacy "includes surrogacy or its related procedures undertaken for a monetary benefit or reward (in cash or kind) exceeding the basic medical expenses and insurance coverage during the pregnancy." Altruistic surrogacy "involves no monetary compensation to the surrogate mother other than the medical expenses and insurance coverage during the pregnancy."
Companionship
Meanwhile, take a look at the couple's fairy tale relationship
Nayan and Shivan were in a relationship for more than six years before finally taking the plunge. They met on the sets of the Tamil film Naanum Rowdy Thaan in 2015. In 2021, Shivan shared a picture that focused on a ring on Nayan's finger, sparking speculations about their engagement. Later, during a talk show, the Aramm actor confirmed that they were indeed engaged.