Congress condemns narrow perspective on surrogacy, demands broader policy

Congress on Wednesday demanded a broader and acceptable policy on surrogacy instead of viewing it through a narrow perspective of family values.

Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi said there should be a policy that does not deny couples the benefit of children and criticised the government’s stance that targets a lot of people who have chosen that route.

“Our stance is that one should not look at it through narrow perspective of family values. I remember Sushma Swaraj by taking a stance, is trying to pull down a lot of people who have chosen that route. I think what more important is, we do not as of now have a policy in place,” she said when asked to spell out her party’s stand on surrogacy.

She said there is need to debate and discuss it so that one can have “more broader and acceptable policy” which does not deny lots of couples who are looking for children, lots of people who would make for parents but do not have that option.

Chaturvedi said an opportunity should be given to all but at the same time it should be ensured that pregnant women are well looked after and well compensated.

“Let us not narrow down our walls. Please ensure that we give everyone an opportunity and for many women, this was the way of earning money and supporting their families,” she said.

“So ensuring that these women are well looked after should be guiding principle of the government,” she added.

To a question on ISIS spying on Indian Army in Madhya Pradesh and politicising it, Chaturvedi said it is extremely unfortunate to pin the blame on Congress for politicising any such issue.

“We noticed how the Prime Minister has spoken about investigation which is going on in the Kanpur train accident and the NIA is also investigating, we would not want to jump the gun. So, reaching to conclusion has become the trademark of the BJP government,” she said.