On reproductive rights, India’s MTP and Surrogacy Acts don’t go far enough
Angellica Aribam writes: A person’s right to choose to end the pregnancy in the first few weeks is still not recognised in India. After overturning of Roe v Wade, measuring ourselves on a yardstick of regression shouldn’t become our way of governance
Is India really ahead of the West in terms of reproductive rights? Contrary to the grandstanding since the overturning of the landmark Roe V. Wade judgment, the truth is, no. Bodily autonomy and reproductive rights must be viewed from three lenses — legal, medical, and social. Only when women and non-binary pregnant people enjoy absolute autonomy over their own bodies by these parameters, can one claim that India is showing the way to the West.