New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid on Saturday offered his condolences to Savita Halappanavar’s family, and said that the Irish Government is probing the matter.
Khurshid said the death of Halappanavar, a dentist who was denied an abortion in Ireland due to the country’s controversial abortion laws, is a very sad incident.
"The matter should be investigated and is being done. I express my full condolences to the family and pray to god to give them courage. I have full confidence that the Ireland Government will take appropriate action in this matter. We are in touch with them and will do whatever possible," he added.
Khurshid earlier on Friday said India’s envoy to Ireland would formally raise New Delhi’s concerns over the death of Savita.
"This has something to do with the existing arrangements and existing legal framework within Ireland based perhaps on religious belief. But we do sincerely hope that there can be no greater matter of religious belief than the obligation to save the life of a mother. If you cannot save the child, you could at least save the life of a mother," Khurshid said.
"But this is really for the Irish Government to examine, and I do believe, that in all sensitivity, they will examine and see what can be done, what should have been done? They have instituted two enquiries. We will also today formally approach the Irish Government through our mission and seek their indulgence, and certainly, seek their response on our very sad concern," he added.
Halappanavar was reportedly denied a potentially lifesaving abortion even while she was having a miscarriage.
The 31-year-old Indian woman died in Ireland from blood poisoning after doctors allegedly refused to perform an abortion on grounds that as a Catholic-dominant country, it forbids such an act.
ANI
First Published: Saturday, November 17, 2012, 12:40