Sex ratio plunge

PUNJAB’s alarming decline in sex ratio exposes the abject failure of political will and entrenched social prejudices. Pathankot’s ratio plummeting from 902 in 2023 to 864 in 2024 is not just a statistic — it’s a damning indictment of society’s disregard for its daughters. Gurdaspur fares no better, while the marginal gains in Kapurthala and Malerkotla are cold comfort against this larger crisis. Female foeticide, despite being illegal, persists with impunity, exposing the ineffective enforcement of the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) Act. Authorities have turned a blind eye to underground networks and cross-border activities that perpetuate this crime. The lack of robust tracking mechanisms and accountability for errant doctors reflects a disturbing apathy in governance.

The roots of this crisis lie in the pervasive patriarchal mindset, which deems daughters a burden and sons a necessity. This regressive belief cuts across economic and social strata, highlighting that wealth and education are no safeguards against prejudice. The skewed gender ratio is a ticking time bomb, already manifesting in grave social issues like bride shortages, as seen in Haryana. It’s time for the political establishment to stop hiding behind token initiatives and address the issue with urgency and sincerity. Awareness campaigns and grassroots action, such as Kapurthala’s efforts, can only succeed when backed by stringent policy measures and unrelenting enforcement. Until families internalise the equality of genders, no law or campaign can undo the damage inflicted by decades of prejudice.

The plummeting sex ratio is not just a societal failure; it is a human rights crisis that threatens the very fabric of equity and justice. The state and society must act decisively to dismantle this toxic mindset before it corrodes the future of our daughters and our nation.