Mother of 11 driven out of home by husband for undergoing tubectomy in Odisha

She has been provided shelter at a Community Health Centre after two nights under open skies with a month-old baby

PTI and agencies, Keonjhar (Odisha), Feb 18, 2023 :  A tribal woman who is a mother of 11 children was driven out of the house in Odisha’s Keonjhar district by her husband for undergoing tubectomy operation, a permanent method of contraception, against his wish.

Janaki Dehury, along with some of her children, has been staying outside the house in Dimiria village after being thrown out of the home by her husband three days ago.

The woman decided to go for tubectomy after being convinced by a local ASHA worker about the adverse impact of giving birth to children every year. She has given birth to 11 children in 11 years of her marriage, though one of them died.

The mother was forced to sleep under a tree after her husband threw her out of their house for undergoing strerilisation procedure (Tubectomy). 

After spending two days under the open sky in Dimiria village under Telkoi Block, Janaki Dehury (38), the distraught mother, was given shelter in the Community Health Centre at Telkoi, along with three children, including her month-old baby.

The woman, Janaki Dehury, has to endure the hardship because her husband, Ravi Dehury believes that Janaki has become unholy after a doctor performed operation on her.

“I have 10 children now after the first one died during delivery. It had become embarrassing for me to get pregnant every year as my children have grown up. Every other woman is undergoing sterilisation. This is nothing new, but my husband does not understand,” said Janaki while wiping tears rolling down her cheeks.

The ASHA worker of Dimiria village, Bijaylaxmi Biswal said, “I have been watching Janaki’s health condition which has gone from bad to worse after each delivery. She has become frail and can’t handle any more pregnancy. Apart from that, she can’t even provide food for all her children.” 

“Despite delivering 11 children, the woman was doing household chores and agricultural work. After I found her spending nights outside her home, I volunteered to shift her to a hospital,” Ms. Biswal said. 

“I persuaded her to go under the scissors and she agreed. However, her husband has gone ballistic after hearing this. Ravi is not allowing her inside her home. I have tried to make Ravi understand her situation, but he is adamant and threatening to kill me if I go near him,” Biswal added.

Mr. Dehury, who is reportedly addicted to consuming ganja (cannabis), threatened everyone, including ASHA workers who tried to make him understand the gravity of the situation. He held the view that his wife could no longer worship at their home following her sterilisation. Villagers were trying to persuade him change his rigid outlook.

Telkoi Health officer has assured to look into the matter as this is a sensitive issue and has assured to make Ravi understand.

Of the 11 children, the older daughter, aged about 17 years, is missing, while two minor sons have found jobs in a shop and at a decorator’s outlet.