Parties unite over tragedy, call it human rights violation

Parties across political lines came together on Thursday to condemn the 'tragic death' of Savita Halappanavar and demand justice to her family. HT reports.

Parties across political lines came together on Thursday to condemn the 'tragic death' of Savita Halappanavar and demand justice to her family.

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The government said it was a 'matter of concern' and the Indian embassy in Dublin was following the issue closely.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said India deeply regrets the tragic death of Savita Halappanavar, 31, a dentist.

"Our sympathies have been conveyed to the next of kin who our Embassy has been in touch with. We understand that the Irish authorities have initiated two enquiries. We are awaiting the results of the enquiries."

The BJP said the family of the victim should get justice and termed the incident an instance of human rights violation.

BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said: "We demand that the government and the foreign ministry in particular take up the matter with the Irish government so as to give justice to the family after this human rights violation that led to Savita's death."

BJP mahila morcha president Smriti Irani wrote to external affairs minister Salman Khurshid demanding the same, adding that the doctors of the hospital allowed their religious beliefs to override the Hippocratic oath.

Reacting strongly to the incident, CPM politburo member Brinda Karat called it a culpable crime.

"This case in Ireland is particularly shocking, because it is nothing but a culpable crime. In the first place, no religion mandates that you watch a woman dying and you refuse to give her an abortion, which is what she needed. So, this is a culpable crime," said Karat.

"And certainly, the government, since the young woman was an Indian citizen, should and must intervene with the government of Ireland on this issue, and see that justice is brought to the family members."