Surrogacy Bill resembles draft of ‘stone age era’: Congress

Terming the Surrogacy Regulation Bill as a Stone Age-era Bill, the Congress on Friday said that the Centre should have roped in other political parties before approving it. It termed the Bill as “medieval and non-progressive” which needs to be reconsidered.

“Surrogacy Bill resembles draft of a Stone Age-era Bill. It is retrograde. This is totally out of tune of contemporary times,” said Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi while addressing the media on Friday here.

The Bill, which laid down strict provisions for those who wish to opt for a surrogate child, was approved by the government on Wednesday.

Apart from slamming the government, the Congress went ahead and took a dig at Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) by stating that the views of the latter were taken as a priority by the government during formulation of this new law.

“It looks like the government delegated the drafting of this Bill to their surrogate RSS/VHP,” Singhvi said.

Raising objections about the punishment criteria mentioned in the Bill, which is 10 years imprisonment for those violating the norms, he said: “It is an anti-liberal law. This Bill promotes a blanket ban approach.”

The Rajya Sabha MP compared the 2016 version of the Bill with that of 2010, which was presented by the UPA regime. “2010 Bill was far better. I doubt the current Bill will get Parliamentary approval,” added Singhvi. 

The Surrogacy Bill has prohibited “commercial” surrogacy in India. It denies foreigners, NRIs, single parents, live-in partners and homosexual couples from becoming parents through surrogacy.