By Carmel Nisha Pius Franco –
Since August 10th, 1971 more than 300 million children are estimated to be killed by abortion in India. That’s equal to destroying the entire population of United States. This August 10, 2018 Bishops in different parts of the country offered Mass marking the 47th anniversary of legalization of abortion and praying for an end to abortion in the country.
Unlike western countries where abortion was legalized as a result of ‘prochoice’ and radical ‘feminist’ movement India legalized abortion as a result of international pressure to control our population. The annual estimates of abortion performed in the country was not known due to lack of research on the subject. According the government reports almost a million abortions were reported to be performed at registered facilities alone for the last twenty years. However scholars estimate that almost 4-7 million abortions were said to be performed in India since 1976.
A recent report released by Lancet Medical Journal estimated that almost 16 million abortions were done in India in the year 2015. This was a one of a kind study done so far in the country since it includes data from private hospitals, public facilities and abortion pill sales data. The abortion pills sales record since 2002 when the government approved the use of chemical abortion using mifepristone and misoprostol coincides with this huge number. A record of 11 million abortion pill doses were sold in India in 2016.
Taking the least of these estimates which is 6 million abortions a year one can see that the number of pre born children killed by abortion in India easily adds up to 300 million. Yet, so far there is no public outcry, marches, memorial or remembrance of any kind to mark this scourge.
Several countries around the world fight for the ‘right to life’ of their unborn children and organize remembrance of some kind to commemorate the unjust death of the children in womb. Nigeria, Peru, Mexico, Japan, Canada, Rome, Ireland, Colombia, Portugal and many other countries organize events on a grand scale to celebrate Life. Around one million people gather for March for Life every year in Washington, United States marking the anniversary of legalized abortion in the country and to show their support for the vulnerable and defenseless children in the womb and to end abortion.
Several bishops and priests in different parts of the nation including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Pune etc. offered Mass on August 10th to pray for “The legal protection of unborn children” in India. This huge effort opened doors to the realization of this evil happening in our families, help people who suffer from the aftermath of abortion to find forgiveness and healing and for an increased effort to defend the sanctity of life in the nation.
Currently an organized effort to extend the legal abortion limit from 20 to 24 weeks is underway. The MTP Amendment bill recommended by National Commission for women is debated in parliament. If this amendment is passed the number of children killed by abortion in India shall easily surpass those killed in China through its horrific ‘one child policy’.
Carmel Nisha Pius Franco is a licensed social worker and full time human rights worker. She’s the director of Uyirkkural, an organization based in Chennai which works for the sanctity of human life and to build a Culture of life in India. Carmel’s work is focussed on ending abortion in India through speaking, writing and other engagements. She can be reached at [email protected]
Reprinted with permission from Live Action News