Popular Chennai YouTuber, Irfan, has faced a strong response after disclosing the gender of his unborn child in a recent video.

Recording his journey to Dubai with his wife for a gender identification test, Irfan's vlog has provoked controversy due to the illegality of such practices under India's PCPNDT Act.

The gender reveal video acquired nearly 2 million views, while the vlog documenting their Dubai trip amassed over 1 million views.

PCPNDT Act

The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, enacted in 1994, prohibits the use of any method to confirm the sex of a fetus once it is conceived. The law aims to address the Dwindling sex ratio in India and prevent gender-based discrimination.

Unveiling the gender of an unborn child is considered unlawful in India and is a punishable offense under the PCPNDT Act, which aims to prevent gender-based abortions and safeguard the welfare and rights of unborn children. The Tamil Nadu Health Department delivered Irfan a notice under this act, underscoring the gravity of the offence.

Chennai YouTuber Sparks Controversy:

The Health Department stated, "In a bid to take legal action, the enforcement officer has sent a notice to Mr. Irfan. Actions like this could lead to a decline in the birth of girl babies not just in Tamil Nadu but across the country."

The controversy emerged when Irfan shared videos of a family event where the gender of the fetus was revealed. Despite the cultural significance attached to gender reveal parties in some parts of the world, such events are scowled upon in India due to the country's history of female infanticide and sex-selective abortions.  While abortion is legal in India, strict penalties are enforced on those found guilty of aborting female fetuses following sex determination tests. The law also prohibits the advertisement of facilities for sex determination and sex-selective abortions.

Irfan's case highlights the obstacles posed by social media influencers who inadvertently promote illegal or unethical practices.

Chennai YouTuber
Source: Republic World

Despite the widespread criticism of gender reveal parties in India, some individuals continue to engage in these activities, often unaware of the legal consequences.

The controversy surrounding Irfan's gender reveal video has reignited discussions about the impactfulness of the PCPNDT Act and the need for stricter enforcement measures. While the law has contributed to a gradual improvement in India's sex ratio over the years, challenges remain in restricting the illegal practice of sex-selective abortions. A

s the debate continues, social media influencers like Irfan must exercise caution and adhere to legal and ethical guidelines when sharing content online. While engagement and views are important metrics for success on platforms like YouTube, they should not come at the expense of violating laws or upholding harmful practices.

Amid this controversy, Irfan has taken down the offending video and awaits further action from the authorities. However, the incident serves as a serious reminder of the responsibilities that come with influence and the consequences of disregarding legal and ethical boundaries.

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