“Declining Sex Ratio a Serious Concern for Haryana”
Gustakhi Maaf Haryana- Pawan Kumar Bansal
“Declining sex ratio cause of concern in Haryana “
The declining Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) in Haryana has once again emerged as a matter of grave concern and public debate. The state, which recorded the lowest sex ratio in the country during the 2011 Census and the second-lowest in 2001, had made remarkable progress over the past decade through sustained government intervention and public awareness campaigns.
After coming to power in 2014, the BJP government under then Minister Manohar Lal Khattar,s intensified efforts under the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” initiative, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The campaign was widely credited with improving Haryana’s sex ratio from 871 girls per 1,000 boys to 923 — a significant achievement for a state long associated with the stigma of female foeticide.
However, more than a decade after the campaign began, the issue has resurfaced with alarming urgency. According to recent figures, the state’s sex ratio, which had touched a record 923 in 2025, has sharply declined to around 898 within just four months. The sudden fall has triggered widespread controversy across the state and the country, raising serious questions about the authenticity of earlier figures and the effectiveness and sincerity of the implementation machinery.
Reports suggest that prolonged administrative complacency and lack of monitoring by stakeholders contributed significantly to the deterioration. Critics argue that the authorities remained largely inactive for months and have only now revived enforcement and awareness measures — a pattern often seen in routine governmental responses after public criticism intensifies.
The decline in Haryana’s sex ratio reflects the persistence of deep-rooted social prejudices against the girl child. Son preference, illegal sex determination tests, dowry-related pressures, and gender discrimination continue to fuel female foeticide despite years of awareness campaigns. If the trend is not reversed, it could lead to severe social imbalance and further increase crimes against women.
Ironically, the land of the Mahabharata — where the great war was fought to avenge the humiliation of Draupadi — has in modern times become synonymous with honour killings and female foeticide.
The situation demands urgent and collective action. The government must strictly enforce laws against illegal sex-selective practices and take decisive action against clinics involved in such activities. Awareness campaigns like “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” need to be revived with renewed commitment, particularly in rural areas where patriarchal attitudes remain deeply entrenched.
At the same time, society must introspect and change its mindset. Respect for women and gender equality must begin at home. Religious leaders, educators, social organisations, and the media all have a crucial role in reshaping public attitudes and promoting the value of the girl child.
Saving and empowering daughters is not merely a government responsibility; it is a social obligation. A balanced and progressive society can only be built when girls are valued equally, protected with dignity, and provided