THERE IS NO ILLEGITIMATE CHILD

                       Children are blessings.They symbolize continuity and progress.They bridge generations.They are the bedrock over which a society is built.Without children a society is deemed to be dead.They are a very important segment of a society.They deserve protection and attention of all.So this begs the questions - where does the idea of illegitimate/legitimate children come from? Does it advance the principle of child-protection? Is it an idea of exclusion?Lets look at it.

                  A friend told me of a story he overheard somewhere of "illegitimate children". Illegitimate children according to the source are said to be children got before marriage or whose father can't be traced.These are children whose "identity" is said to be unknown (maybe known to the mother only). The identity in this case is "who the father of the kid is." So what happens is the kid is abandoned and is perceived as an outcast.In some extreme cases,these children are killed to "protect the dignity of the family". Others are left at church-gates to be taken care of by "God's people". Surely,do people who do this deserve mercy? Do they understand the value of life?Should the children be punished for wrongs done by others? Is protecting family's dignity more important than the protection of life?

                  Children are children irrespective of the method of "extraction". The value attached to them overrides any kind of belief or the so-called family dignity.They belong to the society. This connection is what obliges the society to protect children.Methinks humans are the only creatures who love the spirit of exclusion.They derive their so-called unity under the banner of "ONLY US AND NOT THEM". This is the slogan behind exclusion of such kind of kids.It is not a matter of "religion". It is a selfish and "only us" kind of thinking.It advances the belief of dominance -the spirit of creating an under-class so as to have "something" to rule.This "protectionist policy" is dangerous and destructive.The dominant group feels "endangered" and hence finds it easy to create a powerless and easy-to-dominate-group.They must be stopped!

                  Then there are those who take this as a business venture. They identify themselves as "humanitarian organizations". They define their role as that of "helping abandoned children". But behind this rests a merchant and dollar-thirsty group.Their "prayer" is the continued presence of such kids - because without them,they will have nothing to "eat". This too is a dangerous group.They must be stopped!

                  It is imperative to note that human life is precious.It can't be compromised in the name of "family dignity". Dignity doesn't come from causing harm.Dignity is a product of doing good to others.Dignity advocates for inclusion of all.Dignity defines human beings as interconnected creatures whose objective is that of mutual understanding.Thus the "illegitimacy of children" is an idea whose foundations and principles don't relate to those advocated by dignity.