In a very progressive step, the Kerala High Court recently announced that only having the mother’s name on the birth certificate is enough. The court further added that every individual has the right to mention only their mother’s name in all the important and significant documents.
As per The Hindu, Kerala High Court announced this judgement during a court case wherein a son filed a petition to remove his father’s name from the birth register and include his mother’s name in the certificate.
As per the sources, the mother conceived the petitioner when she was just a minor. She was impregnated by an “unidentified person” and, hence, the father’s name was recorded differently in various documents.
During the hearing, the court mentioned that a child born from an unwed woman or a rape survivor is as much a citizen of our country as any other person. He has fundamental rights of privacy, dignity and liberty.
Also Read: Father Doesn’t Own Daughter, Child Has Right To Use Mother’s Surname: Delhi HC Smashes Patriarchy
In the court ruling, the judge said: “We want a society with no such characters like ‘Karna,’ who curses his life because of the insult he faced for not knowing the whereabouts of his parents. We want real brave ‘Karnas’ who was the real hero and fighter in Mahabharata. Our Constitution and the constitutional courts will protect all of them and the new age Karnas can live like any other citizen with dignity and pride,”
Additionally, the Kerala High court also ordered the government authorities to create separate forms that doesn’t require father’s details. Many people came forward to celebrate this progressive ruling as it not only benefits single mothers but also bring a much-needed change in society’s perception about the rights of fathers and mothers.
Kerala High Court holds that only mother’s name can be shown in birth certificates.
— Advaid അദ്വൈത് (@Advaidism) July 25, 2022
Historical judgment. 👏🏼👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/bduMx1CSb2
I hope all government offices take a note or it becomes a repeated battle for single mothers like me! https://t.co/OBITgeKJud
— Pooja Priyamvada (She/Her) (@SoulVersified) July 25, 2022
This on the day India’s second lady president is elected. What a historic day! https://t.co/bsAIguNbk2
— Savar Suri (@SavarSuri) July 25, 2022
Every child has a right to dignity and privacy. Well done! This is Vikas! 👏👏👏 https://t.co/IFVyt2Z96n
— Sangita (@Sanginamby) July 25, 2022
Laudable move. But, may not still resolve the problem of stigma. This is true for adopted kids too. But, law now allows mentioning names of adoptive parents as the “true” parents. #KeralaHighCourt
— GhoseSpot (@SandipGhose) July 25, 2022
This reminds me of the fight I had with the passport Officer where my NOC mentioned Daughter of. He insisted that it should be wife of as I am married. Ultimately I had to get changed NOC. I strongly feel freedom should be given to the individual how they want to be addressed.
— Lakshmi Seth (@Lakshmipvml) July 25, 2022
Wonderful! Its an achievement.
— Rakhi Tripathi (@rakhitripathi) July 25, 2022
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