Sir,

In reference to an advertisement for ‘sex determination services. Given the Punjabi society’s obsession for a male child, the fact these services are offered and sought after comes as no surprise. What is surprising is the contrast between such attitudes and Sikh theology and ethos. Since prejudicial sentiments of this nature were much more severe in the times of Sikh Gurus, it is quite natural that they are addressed in our theology. The Sikh gurus tried to correct these attitudes through their writings and sermons and I am sure they succeeded to some extent. Gender based prejudices still remain in full force in our society. I wish that instead of perpetuating such values by carrying advertisements we should work towards removing such vulgarities from our society.

That there is demand and supply of such services portrays a deep underlying illness in the very fabric ‘of our society. Why is it that a male child is so important that a female fetus might be aborted if that information was available a priori? Do females add no value to ur society at all? One must remember that without good mothers, good sisters and good wives, society can only attain a portion of its potential. How wholly illogical it is to be prejudicial to the very existence of 50% of our community? By portraying such discriminatory attitudes we not only lower the self-esteem of half of our society, but most importantly it robs of their creativity, their talents and of half of our society’s potential.

What are the causes of such misplaced attitudes? Many arguments from the sociological aspect point to our agragarian origins when social economic division was along the lines of gender. But it is completely uncharacteristic of people as dynamic as the Sikhs that such values still persist. Not only are such values anachronistic, but illogical and irrational as well, for they take away half of our energies. And in times such as these we need all the help we can.

So I urge everyone to raise their voice against such discriminatory values and practices, starting with a ban on abominable such as the ‘sex selection services’. We need to work towards a day when we treat all women as one, when we start following the spirit of our theology. I for one believe strongly enough about this issue that, as much as it would pain me, I will have to stop my subscription and support to this paper if any more such advertisements are carried out. Fateh.

Sincerely yours

Pretinder Singh Sahiwal

‘West Chester OH

 (The advertisement in question does not in any way promote female foeticide. The facility of abortion is also not provided as a service Editor.)

Article extracted from this publication >> October 19, 1990