An Indian emergency room doctor was charged on Thursday after it was revealed that she was performing genital mutilation on young girls at a clinic in Livonia, Michigan.
Dr. Jumana Nagarwala engaged in the illegal practice of genital mutilation and was directly linked to performing the procedure on two girls from Minnesota, among many others.
Independent Journal Review reports:
One 7-year-old girl was brought from Minnesota by her family for a “special girl’s trip,” according to the complaint. The victim told authorities she had to visit Dr. Nagarwala to “get the germs out.”
The same child victim reportedly underwent a medical exam on April 11, during which a doctor noticed her genitals had been “altered or removed,” WXYZ-TV reported. The child was able to identify Dr. Nagarwala as the person responsible.
F.B.I. agent Kevin Swanson wrote in his sworn affidavit that one child victim said “her parents told her that the procedure is a secret and that she is not supposed to talk about it.”
Female genital mutilation is illegal in the United States and is often practiced by Muslims who want to limit their daughter’s sexual urges. In the procedure, the clitoris is mutilated in such a way that it reduces sexual pleasure.
The Department of Justice released a statement regarding the incident.
“Jumana Nagarwala, M.D., of Northville, Michigan, is charged with performing FGM on minor girls out of a medical office in Livonia, Michigan. According to the complaint, some of the minor victims allegedly traveled interstate to have Nagarwala perform the procedure. The complaint alleges that Nagarwala performed FGM on girls who were approximately 6 to 8 years old. This is believed to be the first case brought under 18 U.S.C. 116, which criminalizes FGM. Nagarwala was arrested and is scheduled to appear in federal court in Detroit this afternoon.”
“According to the complaint, despite her oath to care for her patients, Dr. Nagarwala is alleged to have performed horrifying acts of brutality on the most vulnerable victims,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Blanco. “The Department of Justice is committed to stopping female genital mutilation in this country, and will use the full power of the law to ensure that no girls suffer such physical and emotional abuse.”
This is absolutely sickening. FGM is a barbaric practice and it shouldn’t be allowed anywhere in the world. Nagarwala deserves to be put in jail for life for what she did. As a doctor, she swore an oath to heal people, not hurt them, and she broke that oath when she decided to engage in FGM.
