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Rajkot: 1833

When British fined Rajkot ruler for female infanticide

Saeed Khan, TNN | Nov 6, 2012,

From the archives of The Times of India: 2012

AHMEDABAD: As early as in 1833, first female infanticide in Gujarat was penalized! In a state which continues to reel under skewed sex ratio of 886 girls per 1,000 boys, a Rajkot ruler, Suraji Jadeja was penalized Rs 12,000 cash by the British government for facilitating female infanticide on November 6, 1833. When the case came to the notice of British rulers notice, they slapped a fine and also attached the entire Rajkot taluka.

While the present day administration has got tough following dismal male: female ratio in Gujarat — there are cases under PCPNDT Act are pending against 208 doctors in the state — the British administration had carried out a sustained campaign to eradicate the evil practice.

According an account 'Suppression Of Female Infanticide In The Province Of Kattywar' by Alexander Walker and JP Willoughby, an inquiry into the incident was conducted by political agent Captain Lang and reported to Walker, who was the Resident of Baroda. Lang's report to his superior described how Suraji's employees were involved in this female infanticide. Suraji initially denied charge saying that the birth was premature, and hence it was registered.

However, the attendants revealed before the inquiry officer how the newborn was not allowed to live by not removing placenta and making respiration impossible. Lang prescribed exemplary punishment for Suraji so that the evil practice among the rulers could be curbed. In his report, Lang mentioned, "He (Suraji) has not even expressed contrition for the heinous crime he has committed; he is evidently alarmed for the consequences that may ensue, but he does not appear to feel ashamed of the unnatural deed he has perpetrated."

Refraining from inflicting extreme punishment, Lang proposed a fine of Rs 12,000 and till then Suraji's state would remain attached. The British even made entire staff, that was involved in this incident, fired from Suraji's court. The proposal was accepted a year later and Suraji was warned that if another incident of female infanticide happened, it would cost him his estate.

The penalty was still mild for the British, because as Walker wrote, they did not want to hostile chieftains and want to create awareness among people "so that they may be induced to view the custom with general execration and to aid our endeavours to wipe away so foul a blot on humanity".