A few murmurs of dissent rose at the 15th All World Dawoodi Bohra Conference in Udaipur as the topic of validity of the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) or khatna came up on Sunday. Surprisingly, one of the voices of opposition was that of a woman — lecturer Farida Shah. “This is an old tradition and the practice has gone down,” said Shah, adding: “It shouldn’t be a matter of discussion anymore as it is dying a natural death.”
A voice of dissent against the ban came from Gazanfer Okasa, the general secretary of the Bohra Youth Association. “Khatna shouldn’t be linked to FGM,” said Okasa, refering to the Grade 2, 3 and 4 level female genital mutilation practised in African countries, which could involve total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora. “In our community, we cut a little part, unlike in African countries. Though my sister, who is a doctor, and my mother strictly condemn this practice, I am in favour of khatna because I believe it is a part of our Sharia.”
The Bohra community, a sub-sect of Ismaili Shia Islam, remove the prepuce from the genitalia of girls before puberty.
However, banning of the practice got support from Razia Sanwari, the recently-elected vice president of the Central Board of Dawoodi Bohras. “FGM has to be done away with and we need to spread awareness among people about this,” said Sanwari, adding: “Even if a small per cent of the population practises it, it has to be opposed.”
Masooma Ranalvi, the convener of Speak Out on FGM, spoke about the physical and psychological consequences of khatna on girls and women.
