Silent Pain, Secret Ritual: The Hidden Reality of Female Genital Mutilation in India

Painful childhood memory

For years, thousands of women in India have carried a painful childhood memory they rarely speak about.

Female Genital Mutilation

Many say they were taken to a room as young girls, held down by relatives or strangers, and cut without understanding what was happening to them. The practice is known globally as Female Genital Mutilation, or FGM

Dawoodi Bohra community

In parts of India, especially within sections of the Dawoodi Bohra community, it is often referred to as “khatna” or “khafz.”

What Exactly Is Female Genital Mutilation?

FGM refers to procedures involving partial removal or injury to female genital organs for non-medical reasons. FGM is usually performed on girls between infancy and the age of 15. In many communities, it is carried out secretly and within families.

India’s Hidden FGM Debate

Unlike several African and Middle Eastern countries, India does not have official national data on FGM prevalence. Rights groups say this has contributed to public silence around the issue.

Health Risks Linked To FGM

UNICEF warns that immediate risks include bleeding, infections, severe pain and psychological trauma. Long-term complications can include childbirth problems, anxiety, depression and sexual health difficulties.

Supreme Court Hearing Brings Focus Back

A petition seeking a ban on FGM in India has argued that the practice violates constitutional rights and child protection laws. The court recently examined submissions linked to the issue, including arguments that FGM causes irreversible harm to minor girls.

Why Is The Practice Still Continuing?

Families in practicing communities often believe the ritual is necessary for tradition, purity or social acceptance. Some see it as a religious obligation, though several Islamic scholars and activists argue there is no clear Quranic basis for