After 10 daughters, Haryana couple welcome a son; father denies patriarchy claims

JIND: A woman in Haryana has given birth to her 11th child — a son — after having ten daughters, prompting renewed discussion around maternal health risks and the deep-rooted preference for male children. The woman, 37, and her husband Sanjay Kumar, a daily-wage labourer, have been married for 19 years. The baby was born earlier this week at a private hospital in Uchana town in Jind district. “It was a high risk delivery but both mother and child are doing fine,” said Dr Narveer Sheoran of the Ojas Hospital and Maternity Home. The woman was admitted on January 3 and delivered the next day, returning to her village in neighbouring Fatehabad district within 24 hours. According to Dr Sheoran, three units of blood had to be administered during the delivery. “In the end, it was a normal delivery and things were managed well,” he said, adding that the delivery was handled by his gynaecologist wife, Dr Santosh. Speaking to PTI, Sanjay Kumar said, “We were keen that there should be a son and some of my elder daughters also wished to have a brother.” “It is my eleventh child now. I have 10 daughters too,” said the 38-year-old labourer. Married in 2007, Sanjay said most of his daughters are in school, with the eldest studying in Class 12. “Within my meagre means, I am trying to give my daughters a good education... Whatever has happened was god's will and I am happy with it,” he said. As the story drew attention on social media, questions were raised about patriarchal attitudes and gender bias. Responding to this, Sanjay said, “it is not like that.” “I also think that girls are capable of achieving anything these days and they have proved their mettle in various fields. They are making everyone proud,” he added. In a video that has gone viral, Sanjay is seen being asked to name his ten daughters. He manages to do so but fumbles a couple of times. Haryana’s sex ratio has long remained a concern. While official figures show an improvement in recent years, the state continues to lag behind the national average.