Bhopal: The Chhattisgarh government has introduced a significant amendment to the century-old Adoption Act, replacing the term ‘adopted son’ with ‘adopted child’ in all legal documents. This change is being hailed as a major step toward gender equality and social reform.
State Finance Minister OP Choudhary stated, "The 1908 Act only mentioned ‘son’ in the context of adoption, reflecting the patriarchal mindset of that era. We have now amended it to use ‘adopted child’ to ensure gender neutrality and uphold respect for women."
This amendment aligns with the legacy of women like Padma Vibhushan Teejan Bai, who challenged societal norms by performing Pandavani in the traditionally male ‘Kapalik’ style, and Padma Shri Phoolbasan Bai, who empowered over 8 lakh women through self-help groups in rural Chhattisgarh.
Social worker V Polamma praised the amendment, saying, "In 2005, daughters gained equal property rights under the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act. It’s only fitting that adoption laws now reflect similar equality."
Another activist, Vibha Singh, noted that this move sends a powerful message against gender bias in adoption.
Between January 2021 and February 2023, 417 children were adopted in Chhattisgarh, of whom 246 were girls. During the same period, 369 children from the state were adopted by families across India, while 48 children found homes internationally.
Notably, all adoption documents issued so far have used the term "adopted son," regardless of the child’s gender, underscoring the importance of this recent change.
While adoption laws have taken a progressive turn, gender-biased language persists in many official forms and everyday practices. Terms like "I, son of…" remain widely used, highlighting the need for broader reforms to challenge male-centric language and thinking in Indian society.
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