Jaipur: Activists Tuesday criticised Rajasthan health minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar for attributing the rise in caesarean deliveries to women’s preference, saying the remark overlooked clinical protocols, medical decision-making and systemic issues in maternal healthcare.The criticism comes amid public concern over cases of women falling critically ill after caesarean deliveries at govt hospitals in Kota, Bikaner, and Jodhpur. Khimsar’s recent remark that the younger generation “does not want labour pain” has drawn sharp reactions as families continue to seek answers over deaths and serious post-delivery complications.Chhaya Pachauli, state coordinator of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA), questioned the basis of the minister’s claim and asked for evidence supporting the assertion that fear of labour pain was the primary reason behind the increase in C-sections. Pachauli also questioned why clinical guidelines and standard operating procedures exist if major surgeries such as caesarean sections can be performed merely on patient demand.Health activists said the minister’s remarks reduced a complex issue involving medical, institutional and regulatory factors to a stereotype at a time when maternal healthcare in govt hospitals is under scrutiny. They said attention should instead focus on surgical decision-making, infection control, emergency response systems and accountability mechanisms.Khimsar faced criticism earlier over comments on postpartum cases. Referring to cases at a govt hospital in Bikaner, he said the women reached in critical conditions and “not dancing and singing”. In another remark on patients at Paota District Hospital in Jodhpur, he allegedly said the women reached the govt facility after being ‘tossed around’ by private hospitals.Opposition leaders and health activists said such remarks, made while investigations are underway, could undermine public confidence in the govt’s handling of the issue.
