Supreme Court to hear plea for ban on female genital mutilation
India's Supreme Court is set to hear a petition asking for a nationwide ban on female genital mutilation (FGM), a practice still found in the Dawoodi Bohra community.
The case, filed by Chetna Welfare Society, argues that FGM isn't required by Islam or mentioned in the Quran, and says it violates children's rights.
The court has now asked the Centre and Ministry of Law and Justice to respond.
Why this matters
FGM is seen globally—by groups like WHO and the UN—as a serious human rights violation with major health risks.
While countries like the US and UK have clear laws against it, India doesn't yet have specific rules banning FGM.
The petition calls for new laws or changes to protect kids and points out that FGM goes against several existing Indian laws meant to keep minors safe.