Muzaffarnagar: Several speakers at western Uttar Pradesh’s most prominent mahapanchayat, including the chief of Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), on Sunday accused women of abetting female infanticide.“In most of the cases, mothers-in-law usually persuade family members to abort the girl child. They are the first ones to demand a male child,” said Deshraj Bhaneda, member of Jila Panchayat Shamli, while speaking at the meeting of Baliyan khaps.Hundreds of villagers – owing allegiance to different Baliyan khaps – held a mahapanchayat on Sunday under the banner of ‘Sarv Jaatiya Baliyaan Khap Panchayat’ to deliberate on “social menaces plaguing the society”. The mahapanchayat was held at Barwala village of the district.Interestingly, another speaker, a woman, also echoed similar views.“We should persuade women and make them understand the importance of girl child,” said Nirmala Devi.Prominent farmer leader Naresh Tikait, the president of BKU, also blamed women for female infanticide.“There is no doubt that the killing of girl child in the women’s womb is usually done with the consent of women,” Tikait said.The mahapanchayat appealed to people to shun female infanticide, drugs and dowry.

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