Odisha Mother and Five Daughters Abandoned Over Son Preference
Dhenkanal, Odisha: In a shocking case of gender discrimination, a woman and her five daughters were forced out of their home in Muruga village under Bhuban block after she failed to give birth to a son.
According to reports, Sulochana Nayak, married to Chaitanya Nayak for 14 years, was subjected to repeated abuse for bearing only daughters.
The situation escalated after the birth of her fifth child, a 15‑day‑old baby girl, when her husband assaulted her and expelled the entire family from the house.
With no shelter, Sulochana and her daughters sought refuge near the Bhuban Community Health Centre, braving the cold night in the staff quarters area.
Human rights activist Pushpanjali Rana later intervened, relocating the mother and children to a rehabilitation centre in Gandia.
Despite a written complaint lodged with the Bhuban police and the district superintendent of police, the family alleges no effective action has been taken.
The incident has sparked outrage, highlighting the deep‑rooted preference for male children and the urgent need for stronger enforcement of women’s rights in rural Odisha.
