Activists Outraged Over ‘Baby Dropping’ Ritual

On Friday, child’s rights activists in India expressed outrage at local officials over the ritual of ‘baby dropping’ in India.

Last week, at the Baba Umer Durga, a Muslim shrine located in Sholapur, about 280 miles south of Mumbai, hundreds of both Muslims and Hidus gathered together to practice this nearly 700-year-old tradition of ‘baby dropping’. The practice of dropping infants from the roof of the Mosque is believed to ensure good health and prosperity for families. Media groups televised the children being shaken, before being dropped below. Activists expressed outrage that officials allowed infants, two years old and under, to be dropped nearly 50 feet, before being caught with bed sheets that were held by parents and other relatives.

"This shows the complete failure of the local administration to prevent this practice and to create awareness about children's health,"

said Ranjana Kumari, a civil rights activist in New Delhi. It’s believed that many rituals such as this are practiced in many rural parts of India. It’s believed that India’s high mortality rate may be the motivating factor for many to practice these rituals to ensure their children’s health. Since the incident occurred, India's National Commission for Protection of Child's Rights has launched an investigation into the practice that took place near Sholapur.