Kumar says: November 25, 2012 at 11:24 pm
One my friend, who is Hindu man, married with a Christian Girl. The marriage was solemnized as per Vedic Hindu tradition, one year back. Girl had embraced Hinduism. She had accepted to follow the tradition of family of his Hindu husband.
Initially girl had tried a lot to convert boy in Christianity. Boy had very deep root of faith in Hinduism. Boy had declined to convert to Christianity. Girl had approached many churches for marriage, but they were not agreed to marriage, without baptism of boy in to Christianity.
Then girl had decided to embrace Hinduism just for marriage, just for namesake. Girl had decided for traditional marriage in social way, just to get social approval of her marriage; because, court marriages are still looked down upon in our society.
Before embracing Hinduism and traditional Hindu marriage, girl had promised boy that she will completely follow Hinduism and she had discarded her previous religion (Christianity).
From some months, there is huge change in the behavior of girl. Though she had embraced Hinduism, but now she is not following the tradition of his husband family. Instead of that she doesn’t wear sindoor, like the Hindu Indian woman. She began to attend church. And she had put the Religious sign of Christianity in her in-law house (which is Hindu family).
She doesn’t participate in Hindu festivals and insults Hindu god/goddess. Not only this, she began to disregard the Hindu deities and traditions. She began to make openly mockery of Hindu traditions and Religiosity. Many times she emotionally blackmailed her husband (my friend) to remove all Hindu religious signs (Pictures and Idols of Mahadev and other Hindu deities). Only vandalism remains to occur in this family.
When she was confronted, she flatly said that, this is a secular country, anybody can follow any religion, and there is freedom of following any faith.
Due to her this behavior, there is disruption in the harmony of family. The peace of marital life is also distorted. My friend has attempted suicide once, and he is undergoing depressive conditions. The environment of home is badly affected.
Kindly give your valuable suggestions
Regards -Kumar
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Admin says:
Kumar, thank you for sharing your friend’s story. There is a big lesson to learn for all interfaith dating couple that this “fake” conversion for marriage will ultimately lead to major disaster in life.
Tell your friend that there is no reason to be depressed about. It is time to take some positive steps. Apparently they don’t have children, we hope not. Tell them not to plan for a child till all issues are completely resolved beyond doubt.
First, he has to understand that every individual has right to follow any faith or change religion any time. If the girl wants to be a Christian, so be it. Religion is not something to impose on someone. Tell them to read about Hinduism and Christianity and try to find some pluralistic middle ground. Alternative is to keep religion out of their married life and live an atheist life. A third option is to let she be a Christian and he remain a Hindu, but don’t plan to have child. If nothing works out, unfortunately (or fortunately) divorce is the only option left.
You stated, “Girl had approached many churches for marriage, but they were not agreed to marriage, without baptism of boy in to Christianity”. If any one is curious, this is the form to fill in (India, USA) if you wish to have a wedding in the church. This is one sided pre-nuptial agreement.
Your statement, “Initially girl had tried a lot to convert boy in Christianity” is very crucial point the boy missed out. The Hindu decided not to tolerate imposition of Christianity but ultimately the girl gave in and decided to “tolerate” Hinduism. This is totally wrong on both sides. In any interfaith marriage, as soon as the talk of religious conversion comes up from any one side, the other side has to be get alarmed. Instead of this “fake” conversion to please parents, pandits, priests and imams, best option (unfortunately) is the civil marriage. If they cannot accept the third atheist ground (civil marriage), that love relationship should end right then because their love for their religion is more important than the love for each other. Interfaith relationship will work only if both sides (and extended families) are true pluralists. -admin
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Kumar added: November 27, 2012 at 2:52 pm
There are some more additional things recently discovered in this case. My Hindu friend (Ram) met his girl friend first time in 2007 in Rourkela. Girl was having a Hindu name, and no other Christian title, not even any middle name having Christian affiliation. She was not wearing any Christian sign like rosary etc. There in first meeting Ram guessed that she must be Hindu only. My friend just wanted to keep this relation just up to friendship. It was Girl who had proposed boy for love and finally for marriage. In between girl never disclosed that she is Christian.
They both had completed their degree and searching for job. Boy had applied several places. Girl ( Nikita) was not knowing how to develop the CV ( Curriculum Vitae) , Ram had given her one his sample of CV in which he had recorded all his date of birth, caste, category, religion, full address. Means Nikita got to know every social-family details (including religion, caste, native place, date of birth all things). In between Ram had left Rourkela for one year. Nikita showed some emotional inclination and ultimately Ram also fell in love with Nikita with knowing her family details. After one year of their affair Ram got to know from some other sources that Nikita is Christian. Till that period Ram never visited home of Nikita. After knowing the Christian identity, Ram did not feel shock, as Ram was having secular thinking and respect for all religion. Till that time Ram did not understand the complexities of inter-faith marriage. Ram had developed close emotional affinity with Nikita. On other hand Nikita had emotionally pressurized him from all sides.
Later Ram got to know the actual date of birth of Nikita. She is three years older to Ram. He got shocked to know that. Nikita had tried to hide her actual age also. Anyhow Ram had adjusted and forgiven to Nikita.
Now the time of Nikita started, she began to emotionally blackmail him. Ram was totally emotionally arrested. Initially Ram had thought that they both will follow both the religion Hindu and Christianity. Ram was away from practical reality. He did not know that it is practically very difficult.
Nikita pressurized many times Ram to get converted to Christianity. Ram has very deep root in his Hindu religious faith. Here he was right he never decide to become Christian. Ram was so emotionally attached to Nikita that it was very painful for Ram to have break -up.
Nikita pressurized Ram to inform his parents about it. He told his mother about it. His mother talked to Nikita; gradually Mother accepted Nikita but kept one condition that she will have to follow all Hindu tradition and customs. Nikita also agreed also. Ram’s family did not do any enquiry about Nikita, whatever Ram told his parent they believed it.
There Nikita’s some elder Family members invited Ram and pressurized him to embrace Christianity and jilted him so badly. Ultimately Ram took a hard decision and he decides to have break- up. He started ignoring her phone calls and meeting. After a week Nikita again meet him and apologized and again invited to her home, then her close family members talked to Ram and very peacefully dropped the condition of conversion. They were agreed that they may solemnize marriage as per Hindu tradition. As I told earlier that Nikita had tried many times for marriage in Church, but it was not possible without converting to Ram. Secondly Church authorities were also asking for No-objection letter from parents of Ram. When no avenue of Christian marriage is left then Nikita opted to Hindu Marriage.
Because in society for married couple they must be approved by their family members also; she wanted to show that Ram’s parents have accepted her. Even in her Hindu social circle she openly declared that she is now Hindu.
Before marriage Nikita got converted to Hinduism in Arya Samaj Mandir, she went through all shudhikaran process. She agreed that she will follow tradition of Ram’s family. Marriage was solemnized as per Hindu traditions. Entire marriage expenditure was borne by family of Ram only. Even marriage took place in the native city of Ram. Only one elder sister and his husband from Nikita side took part. Ram family had accepted Nikita; despite Nikita family did not come ahead in public to support Nikita. Even Nikita family did not organize even a little reception party for her marriage.
After marriage, they both returned back to Rourkela, because both were working there. They got settled there. There again a new controversy started. In their new Nikita put very strict condition that there will (not) be religious sign here. Ram felt very distressed his friends advised him not discontinue his tradition and customs. He put some picture of Shiv and Krishna, that day there was violent quarrel in their home. Nikita was posing objection for all religious pictures. Out of aggression Ram slapped him.
Legally she was Hindu. There is another incident. It was Christmas, Ram and Nikita both went church, Ram remained there with Nikita in Church, but when after Church, Ram entered a temple Nikita remained just outside of Temple, she did not enter. This happen twice, even during Good Friday also, Ram visited church with her, but when he visited temple, she sat outside, even Pujari asked, who is that lady? Is she your wife? Ram felt very bad. In last one year there has been number of conflicts on the issue of religion and dominating nature of Nikita also. Now days some interfere of in-laws family members have also increased.
Ram did not plan for child. He knows that his child will be under influence of his in-laws family culture and he will grow with Christianity culture, he doesn’t want that whatever he suffered his children should not suffer.
Nikita want to settle in Rourkela itself and planning to buy some land over there. While Ram wants to settle with his parents in UP. His parents are retired and in need of support and care. Now a days Nikita also obstructing the care and help to parents of Ram.
Nikita has tormented Ram very badly, not only religiously, socially, emotionally psychologically. She has deceived him many times. Ram is now totally emotionally shattered he had attempted suicide also. He knows that in India most of laws are favoring women only. There is no any legal remedy for men. He has been victimized from all sides.
Kindly read this Case of Ram… I will further explore the case of Ram to get new information in order to help him..
Regards – Kumar
Also read:
Bible on Hindus?
Gandhiji will go to hell, only Baptized Christians will go to heaven
Goan Inquisition
Jealous God
Baptism: Namastey London movie (video)
PreNuptial agreement to marry in a church
Gurumaa’s message (video)
Return to InterfaithShaadi.org. To share your experience, read.
Islamic Women Today
no one can counsel on behalf of other person. basic rule of counselling – there is one side, the other side and the third side. It is important for your friend and his wife to go to counselling not someone seeking advice on their behalf. It never helps anyone. counselling sessions helps a person to narrate their life and incidents and hurts and while they do it, they themselves will come up with solutions that will be meaningful in their life. As a friend, you shouldn’t be getting involved in their personal life especially taking counsel on his behalf. Divorce may or mayn’t be an answer. It is not for anyone of us to decide. Life is full of choices and your friend has made one and he has to now make another choice to re-examine his life and ask the right questions, be willing to see the answers and when he gets the right answers, be willing to put it to practise.
It is for their good we must refrain from pressurising them with our advice and solutions. Let them explore, seek and come up with a solution. As a friend, your job is to hold him up and be there for him but it is not for you to live his life.
didn’t realise it is such an old discussion. I am sure this matter must have resolved by now. Sorry should have seen the date before commenting.
If you want your husband or wife or fiance/fiancee to convert to Hinduism, you have to learn the good spiritual things in Hinduism and explain these in a kind manner to him/her. You will also have to live by these values and not be a hypocritical or fake Hindu.
Also, you should point out to Christians that Christianity is also influenced by Hinduism/Buddhism and there is even some evidence that Jesus himself came to India nd may have been a Yogi there.
Faith is embeded in heart and mind. Flowers, fire, words are oral and physical presumtions. In Hinduism no one can be converted to high caste BRAHMIN, they are converted as low cast SHUDRAS AS per MANUSMRITI:
The tongue of Shudra who spoke evil about Brahmin should be cut off (Apastamba Dharma Sutra II/10-26.
Those who are with stinking conduct they will enter a stinking womb, either the womb of a dog or the womb of a swine or womb of Shudra (Chandogya Upanishad 5-10-7)
Shudras must be prohibited from hearing, studying Vedas (Brahma Sutras 1.3.9.38)
More on google Why Dr.Ambedkar burnt Manusmriti.
Due to Brahmins discrimination of Shudra Hindus converted from, 850Bc to Jainism, from 500Bc to Budhism. Budhism was born in India but stamped out of India by Brahmins. Due to this discrimination Hinduism was confined to India only. In Asia from SriLanka to Japan there are more Budhists than Hindus.
Dear Friend,
After reading Ram’s problems I feel pained as to how someone can decieve another into marrying and than preventing them from practicing their religion.
All of the fault is with the girl, your friend Ram is completely innocent and is actually the victim.
Also he needs to take stock of the situation and realize that he has no other way out than a divorce.
I’m sure with what all you have said it will be more than ample grounds for a mutual seperation.
While you said that Indian laws are heavily favored towards the woman and thats true. But you cannot put a price on peace of mind and faith.
Consult a good lawyer and get the proceeding started for divorce immidiately.
Best of Luck!
Hi,
I am a devout hindu and am sincerely trying to understand my religion. The more I learn Hinduism, the more I fell in love with it. Even though it is the most ancient religion, it is the most beautiful religion. All other religion is subset of it. Either you are a believer or a non believer still you are a hindu (not possible in any other religion). I personally feel SO PROUD OF RAM (true action as per his name). Nikita fortunately got such a loving and caring husband and an opportunity to get back to her original religion. She should respect Ram and his family.
Ram SHOULD NOT even think of sucide as hinduism take it as greatest sin. He should ideally consult some solicitors to find out the legal aspect. Perhaps Divorce would be a safe way to end this unwanted conflict.
I want to quote some court judgment relevant to this case:
In the case of Lily thomas vs. Union of India (2000) 6 SCC 224 para 39 Supreme court observed that if a person feign to have adopted another religion just for some worldly gain or benefit, it would be a religious bigotry. For example a person mockingly adopt another religion where plurality of marriage is permitted so as to renounce the previous marriage and desert the wife, he cannot be permitted to take the advantage of this exploitation as religion is not a commodity to be exploited
In perumal Nadar ( dead) by legal representative vs. Ponnuswami nadar (Minor) AIR 1971 SC 2352 it was held by the apex court as under:-
“ a person may be hindu by birth or by conversion. A mere theoretical allegiance to the hindu faith by person born in another religion doesnot convert him/ her to hindu nor is bare declaration that he/she is hindu sufficient to convert him to hinduism. but a bona fide intention to be convert to the hindu faith.
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In case of Faheem ahmed vs. Maviya @ Laxmi (2009) MAT. APP. 13/2009. High court of Delhi observed that
“ There can not be any diverenge of opinion that in certain situation one of the parties to marriage belonging to one religion can take a decision to embrace the religion of other party but however such a conversion should not be undertaken merely to achieve the purpose of marriage , it should be done to embrace the new religion with a will and desire to completely follow the tenets of new religion while simultaneously forsaking the tenets of religion being professed by a person prior thereto”.
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Based on the above stated court judgement, my opinion is that Girl has commited religious bigottery . because she adoptedd the hindu religion just for marriage.
Secondly it is also clear that just to remain hindu, one has to profess hinduism, not just theoretical allegiance.
Now I invite the comments of all respected members in this case. How those above stated cases are fitted in this case.
Another way of tackling this case is always open which is to have discussion through elder members.
Also copied to https://www.interfaithshaadi.org/?p=981&cpage=1#comment-34753
Thanks for sharing. This “fake” conversion business is illegal as well as it will ruin lives of both lovers as well as their extended families.
STOP THIS FAKE CONVERSION BUSINESS.
Faith is embedded in heart and mind, flowers, fire, words are to fool others. In Hinduism no one can be converted to high caste BRAHMAN, they are converted as low cast SHUDRA.
MANUSMRITI says: No collection of wealth to be made by Shudra even though he may be able to do it. Brahmin can take Shudra’s property by force. (Manusmriti X,129).
Brahman can have 4 wives, Kshatriya can have 3 wives , Vaishnava can have 2 wives, Shudra cant have more than 1. (Aitreya Veda, Brahma VIII, 29 page 201).
The tongue of Shudra who spoke evil about Brahman should be cut off (Apastamba Dharma Sutra II/10-26.
Those who are with stinking conduct they will enter a stinking womb, either the womb of a dog or the womb of a swine or womb of Shudra (Chandogya Upanishad 5-10-7)
Shudras must be prohibited from hearing, studying Vedas (Brahma Sutras 1.3.9.38)
More on google Why Dr.Ambedkar burnt Manusmriti.
Due to Brahmins discrimination of Shudra Hindus converted in 550Bc to Jainism, in 500Bc to Budhism, 712Ad to 1700 to Islam and after British rule to Christianity. Budhism was born in India but Brahmans stamped it out of India. From Sri Lanka to Japan Budhism spread but Hinduism was confined to India and its borders.
Dear Kumar.
You are a true friend of Ram and he is fortunate to have a friend like you. See my previous advice and I am still prescribing the same. Your friend just needs to be emotionally strong and you should help him at this juncture of his life. In fact he is living with a terrorist who is terrorising him to her fullest strength to have her own way. He must not not not … think any negative steps such as suicide. He will have to live for his beloved ones such as his parents, other family members and for the good of society. What a foolishness is this that the victim is attempting suicide!
He needs simply to make it very clear to his spouse that
1. His parents will stay at his home with them
2. Ram’s family will continue their way of living as usual.
I am so sad to say that divorce is the only way out. This woman is no more trustworthy as she has tries to deceive him several times. Do you think she is going to change her heart over night? In fact she will lead a better marital life with a good Christian spouse. So, I think, both should have new compatible partners after separation as both are yound and can start over again. If they try to patch up and pass a few years, say 5-10 years, it may become late or the situation may deteriorate.
See the advice of other wise people as it’s a very critical decision and second opinion is always sought in such situations. He shoould also take his parents’ counsel.
Fake conversion to Hinduism and consequences-2
There are some more additional things recently discovered in this case. My Hindu friend (Ram ) met his girl friend first time in 2007 in Rourkela. Girl was having a Hindu name, and no other Christian title, not even any middle name having Christian affiliation. She was not wearing any Christian sign like rosary etc. There in first meeting Ram guessed that she must be Hindu only. My friend just wanted to keep this relation just up to friendship. It was Girl who had proposed boy for love and finally for marriage. In between girl never disclosed that she is Christian. They both had completed their degree and searching for job. Boy had applied several places. Girl ( Nikita) was not knowing how to develop the CV ( Curriculum Vitae) , Ram had given her one his sample of CV in which he had recorded all his date of birth, caste, category, religion, full address. Means Nikita got to know every social-family details (including religion, caste, native place, date of birth all things). In between Ram had left Rourkela for one year. Nikita showed some emotional inclination and ultimately Ram also fell in love with Nikita with knowing her family details. After one year of their affair Ram got to know from some other sources that Nikita is Christian. Till that period Ram never visited home of Nikita. After knowing the Christian identity, Ram did not feel shock, as Ram was having secular thinking and respect for all religion. Till that time Ram did not understand the complexities of inter-faith marriage. Ram had developed close emotional affinity with Nikita. On other hand Nikita had emotionally pressurized him from all sides. Later Ram got to know the actual date of birth of Nikita. She is three years older to Ram. He got shocked to know that. Nikita had tried to hide her actual age also. Anyhow Ram had adjusted and forgiven to Nikita.
Now the time of Nikita started, she began to emotionally blackmail him. Ram was totally emotionally arrested. Initially Ram had thought that they both will follow both the religion Hindu and Christianity. Ram was away from practical reality. He did not know that it is practically very difficult.
Nikita pressurized many times Ram to get converted to Christianity. Ram has very deep root in his Hindu religious faith. Here he was right he never decide to become Christian. Ram was so emotionally attached to Nikita that it was very painful for Ram to have break -up.
Nikita pressurized Ram to inform his parents about it. He told his mother about it. His mother talked to Nikita; gradually Mother accepted Nikita but kept one condition that she will have to follow all Hindu tradition and customs. Nikita also agreed also. Ram’s family did not do any enquiry about Nikita, whatever Ram told his parent they believed it.
There Nikita’s some elder Family members invited Ram and pressurized him to embrace Christianity and jilted him so badly. Ultimately Ram took a hard decision and he decides to have break- up. He started ignoring her phone calls and meeting. After a week Nikita again meet him and apologized and again invited to her home, then her close family members talked to Ram and very peacefully dropped the condition of conversion. They were agreed that they may solemnize marriage as per Hindu tradition. As I told earlier that Nikita had tried many times for marriage in Church, but it was not possible without converting to Ram. Secondly Church authorities were also asking for No-objection letter from parents of Ram. When no avenue of Christian marriage is left then Nikita opted to Hindu Marriage.
Because in society for married couple they must be approved by their family members also; she wanted to show that Ram’s parents have accepted her. Even in her Hindu social circle she openly declared that she is now Hindu.
Before marriage Nikita got converted to Hinduism in Arya Samaj Mandir, she went through all shudhikaran process. She agreed that she will follow tradition of Ram’s family
Marriage was solemnized as per Hindu traditions. Entire marriage expenditure was borne by family of Ram only. Even marriage took place in the native city of Ram. Only one elder sister and his husband from Nikita side took part. Ram family had accepted Nikita; despite Nikita family did not come ahead in public to support Nikita. Even Nikita family did not organize even a little reception party for her marriage.
After marriage, they both returned back to Rourkela, because both were working there. They got settled there. There again a new controversy started. In their new Nikita put very strict condition that there will be religious sign here. Ram felt very distressed his friends advised him not discontinue his tradition and customs. He put some picture of Shiv and Krishna, that day there was violent quarrel in their home. Nikita was posing objection for all religious pictures. Out of aggression Ram slapped him.
Legally she was Hindu. There is another incident. It was Christmas, Ram and Nikita both went church, Ram remained there with Nikita in Church, but when after Church, Ram entered a temple Nikita remained just outside of Temple, she did not enter. This happen twice, even during Good Friday also, Ram visited church with her, but when he visited temple, she sat outside, even Pujari asked, who is that lady? Is she your wife? Ram felt very bad. In last one year there has been number of conflicts on the issue of religion and dominating nature of Nikita also. Now days some interfere of in-laws family members have also increased
Ram did not plan for child. He knows that his child will be under influence of his in-laws family culture and he will grow with Christianity culture, he doesn’t want that whatever he suffered his children should not suffer.
Nikita want to settle in Rourkela itself and planning to buy some land over there. While Ram wants to settle with his parents in UP. His parents are retired and in need of support and care. Now a days Nikita also obstructing the care and help to parents of Ram.
Nikita has tormented Ram very badly, not only religiously, socially, emotionally psychologically. She has deceived him many times. Ram is now totally emotionally shattered he had attempted suicide also. He knows that in India most of laws are favoring women only. There is no any legal remedy for men. He has been victimized from all sides.
Kindly read this Case of Ram… I will further explore the case of Ram to get new information in order to help him..
Regards
Tell Ram that there is nothing to be shameful about the situation. There is no reason to end his life. He is a smart man not to have a child. Just go through divorce and restart a new life now.
One more point, it is not clear “Ram slapped him” who slapped whom, but refrain from any physical fights, this will work against the aggressor in a court.
Dear Sabana, is FMG illegal in the UK now? It makes sense IMO. India would not interfere with muslim laws ever, because of potential muslim backlash. India still honors stone age sharia laws for ONLY muslims. Ha, one nation 2 setts of personal laws!! Horror for muslim women.That way west is to some extent bold and protects muslim women somewhat better.
Obviously the woman is not interested in your friend or this marriage anymore. Women or men try to reconcile upto a point to iron out differences and try to make a married life enjoyable, unless one of the two is a cruel sadist. Woman of any faith behaving in such a manner is not worthy of man’s attention. She should be divorced. The man hasn’t forced her to do anything against her will, she joined a hindu family on her own, and post marriage no one persecuted her to do anything seriously hindu whatsoever, say, like spending hours performing any puja or to fast etc. No restrictions placed on her so that she is even going to church. So whats going on here then, lets speculate a bit, she is going to church to meet her old ‘friends’ or to find ‘new’ friends apparently. She is on the look out for her next victim. Mutually they must move away from eachother. Religion is not the issue at all. Your friend is too sensitive and she is exploiting the situation. This case is just reversal of what happens to a hindu woman when she marries a muslim man, OMG what an irony hindus get it from both sides!!!
Dear Kumar,
Thanks for bringing this critical issue of your friend’s marital life. First of all, suicide is nott the solution at all of any problem and it’s a dastardly act. If he has deep Hindu belief, this is among the greatest sins as per Hinduism. Moreover, his suicide will greatly aggrieve his parents and other family members. Does he want this to happen. Why punish his near and dears for the misdeeds of others. The wife will marry again with somebody to proselytise and start a new happy life. So, who are the sufferers after his suicide?
As both of them are deeply rooted in their religions, there is no patch up plan. The disparity is likely to grow with time and will take a horrendous turn at the birth of children. The girl’s primary motive has been to trap the boy as is evident from her behaviour. To avoid the future predicaments and to stop the situation from being worse, divorce is the only option for both of them. Patch up or a short term solution will invite bigger family roblems later. The reason is, our value systems don’t change so easily and they come up again vigorously if tried to be suppressed.
The boy has been fortunate that he doesn’t have any child so far otherwise, the situation had been worse. He must not plan for a child as long as this issue is not resolved.
Hi every body.
In Islamic countries, young girls are being subjected to life-threatening genital mutilation at the hands of their own families with police warning they will investigate any suspected cases of the barbaric practice.
A task group of GPs, school nurses and midwives, has now been set up in Bradford to raise awareness of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) – a practice which involves the partial or total removal of the external female genital organs for cultural reasons, sometimes carried out with rusty razors.
FGM is prevalent in 28 African countries and it is estimated more than 20,000 girls under 15 are at high risk of FGM with 66,000 women in the UK, including an estimated 120 women in Bradford being seen by healthcare professionals at Bradford Royal Infirmary in the last 18 months.
It is believed FGM happens in the UK as well as overseas, often in the family’s country of origin, when girls of school age are often taken overseas during the school summer holidays.
Now health care workers in Bradford are being trained to ask women about FGM, who may either want, or be under pressure to have FGM performed on their own daughters.
If the health professional has significant concerns around the risk of FGM to a child, guidance will be sought urgently from the Safeguarding Children’s Services.
Detective Sergeant Andy McGrath, of the Bradford District Safeguarding Unit, a task group member, said it was important communities realised FGM was a form of violence and abuse against women and girls.
He said: “As far as the police are concerned it is domestic abuse and we treat it extremely seriously. As police we have a duty to protect vulnerable people in society. If we get a report it will be dealt with professionally. It is culturally sensitive so it would be dealt with by a trained investigator but we would fully investigate.”
Task group member Ruth Dixon, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s lead for tackling violence against women and girls, said: “We need people to know that it is not acceptable and stop female children from being mutilated. The short term implications for the girl is severe pain and emotional shock. It is done by parents and extended family members with no anaesthetic, using rusty razor blades which leads to infections and internal damage, urine retention and, ultimately, they can die.
“When the team in Bradford looked at the number of women who may have been affected locally, we found that about 120 women had been cared for at Bradford Royal Infirmary in the last few years, who had probably had FGM based on the prevalence levels in their country of origin.”
The task group recently met with a group of women from the Frontline Initiative in Manningham who come from high risk areas. The women told the task group they wanted health professionals to ask them directly about FGM and also to show them pictures of the types of FGM as the preferred method of describing the mutilation they have undergone.
The women used the term “cutting” to describe the practice, which can cause problems during pregnancy and childbirth. By alerting health professionals they can be referred to a consultant who can carry out a procedure prior to birth, to enable the baby to be delivered naturally.
Miss Dixon said: “We will train and provide information to health professionals so that when a mother who has undergone FGM gives birth to a baby girl, she will be given clear advice and support to ensure that the child is not mutilated.”