Daijiworld Media Network - Belagavi (MS)

Belagavi, Dec 16: A historical bill making abortion lawful in Ireland is accepted and the parents of Dr Savita Halappanavar, who lost her life as she could not abort the foetus, though she was suffering from blood infection, want the law to be named after their daughter.

Dr Savita Halappanavar, a resident of the city, had died in 2012 in Ireland, where the Catholics are in large numbers, as it is unlawful to abort the baby once conceived. Dr Savita was married to engineer Praveen, a native of Haveri. Both of them lived in Galve of Ireland. Dr Savita, who was dental doctor by profession developed infection of the blood when she was 17-weeks pregnant. The only option to save Savita's life was to abort the baby. Though the couple requested for abortion, the doctors did not permit the same as there is no provision in the law for abortion in Ireland. So Savita died on August 28, 2012.

Dr Savita Halappanavar

From the day of the death of Dr Savita, several protests were held to make abortion legal in Ireland. Now the government of Ireland has given its nod to bring in the law to facilitate abortion in extreme conditions. Praveen, husband of deceased Dr Savita lived till 2015 in Ireland. Now he is settled in USA. The parliament of Ireland has given acceptance for the bill to make the abortion lawful due to the aggressive fight since six years by the activists and various organizations. In the ballot that was conducted to bring in this law, 64% people of Ireland voted in favour of the law. Now only the formality of presidential signature is pending.

Andaneppa Yalagi, father of deceased Dr Savita, says "The whole world pitied the death of my daughter Savita. I thank the parliament of Ireland for making abortion lawful. I am happy that the country of Ireland got aware and came out of the religious belief and passed the bill. As this is a historical bill, Savita's name should be given for this bill and give peace to her soul."