A family in Haryana has become the unlikely centre of a nationwide conversation on deep-seated patriarchy, population control, and the value placed on a male child in certain sections of Indian society. The trigger was the birth of a baby boy last week, who is the eleventh child for his parents, arriving after ten consecutive daughters.
The Birth and the Father's Revelation
The mother, a 37-year-old woman married for 19 years, was admitted to Ojas Hospital and Maternity Home in Uchana town of Jind district on January 3, 2026. She delivered the baby boy the following day. While the birth itself was a routine medical event, the circumstances surrounding the large family quickly captured public attention.
In a video interview with local media, the father, 38-year-old Sanjay Kumar, who works as a daily wage labourer, openly expressed his and his elder daughters' desire for a son. "We wanted a son, and some of our elder daughters also wished for a brother. This is my eleventh child, and I already have 10 daughters," Kumar stated.
However, the moment that drew widespread criticism and became a symbol of the debate occurred when Kumar was asked to name his daughters. He was unable to recall all their names, mentioning only his eldest, Shrina, who is in Class 12, and Amrita in Class 11. He confirmed that most of his daughters are attending school and, despite his modest income, he is striving to educate them all. "With my limited income, I am doing my best to provide a good education for my daughters. Whatever has happened is God’s will, and I am happy with it," he added.
Social Media Erupts in Debate
The video, which amassed over 3 million views, sparked a fiery debate across platforms like X (formerly Twitter). Users expressed a range of emotions, from outrage and concern to defence of the parents' choices.
One user criticised the underlying mindset, writing, "Bro is single-handedly fixing the sex ratio of Haryana with his parochial and patriarchal mindset." Another comment reflected deep concern for the children: "This is such a frustrating situation and honestly it is heartbreaking for the daughters who were basically treated as trial runs until a boy arrived. Using children as a gamble for a male heir is peak obsession. The system needs to step in because this isn't parenting it is a fixated madness."
Not all reactions were critical. A contrasting viewpoint argued, "Why take away? It is hardwork of the couple. They could have got rid of all 10 girls but still raised them. Thinking about boy child is no sin. I have three boys and i want to go for 4th child as i want a girl child. Whats wrong in having more children." This comment, in turn, sparked further discussions on reproductive choices and gender bias.
Medical and Societal Context
From a medical standpoint, the delivery was a high-risk case. Dr. Narveer Sheoran reported that the mother required three units of blood during the procedure. Fortunately, both the mother and the newborn are now reported to be stable.
The incident has thrown a harsh spotlight on the persistent issue of son preference in parts of India, even in a state like Haryana which has made significant strides in improving its sex ratio at birth. It raises uncomfortable questions about the pressures on women, the economic burden of large families on the poor, and the psychological impact on children born in the relentless pursuit of a son.
While the family celebrates the arrival of a boy, the online discourse underscores a growing societal impatience with patriarchal norms that continue to influence family planning decisions, often at great personal and social cost.
