Skip to content Skip to navigation

Legal Notices Served to Halt HPV Vaccine Rollout in India

By AT News |

In a significant development, legal notices have been served recently to the Chief Secretaries of 15 Indian states and union territories, demanding the immediate cessation of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign. Advocate Mitali Sett issued the notices on behalf of senior gynecologists and members of the Awaken India Movement, citing concerns about informed consent, potential health risks, and non-compliance with Supreme Court mandates.

Key Details of the Legal Notices

The notices allege violations of the Supreme Court's directives in the landmark case Jacob Puliyel vs. Union of India, which emphasizes the "golden rule" of informed consent. The directives mandate:

  1. Parents cannot be questioned for refusing consent for vaccines.
  2. Authorities and healthcare professionals must ensure parents are fully informed about vaccine contents and potential adverse effects.

The legal documents also demand wide dissemination of information in local languages about vaccine risks to ensure transparency and public understanding.

States and UTs Covered

The legal notices were served to the following states and UTs via speed post and email:
Delhi, Bihar, Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Chhattisgarh. Notices for other states are expected to follow soon.

Allegations and Concerns

The notices raise serious concerns about:

  • The lack of sufficient scientific evidence proving the efficacy of HPV vaccines in preventing cervical cancer.
  • Reports of adverse effects such as autoimmune disorders, Guillain-Barré Syndrome, fertility issues, and other health complications.
  • Non-disclosure of vaccine ingredients, adverse effects, and limitations in official advertisements and patient information booklets.

Additionally, the notices highlight international controversies surrounding HPV vaccines, including reported deaths during trials in India and abroad, and call for a halt to mass vaccination drives pending further studies.

Demands Made in the Notices

The notices list several pre-requisites for resuming HPV vaccinations, including:

  • Wide publicity of potential side effects and risks in local languages.
  • Transparent disclosure of vaccine ingredients and patient information booklets.
  • Comprehensive health evaluations of recipients before vaccination.
  • Risk-benefit analysis for each recipient.

Advocate Sett and the complainants argue that these measures are essential to safeguard the health and rights of young girls targeted by the vaccination drive.

International Context and Financial Concerns

The notices also reference studies and expert opinions questioning the causative role of HPV in cervical cancer. They criticize the financial implications of mass vaccinations, suggesting that funds could be better utilized for early detection and treatment programs, such as Pap screenings.

Broader Implications

The legal notices not only call for the cessation of the HPV vaccination program but also highlight broader concerns about public health policies, vaccine safety, and ethical medical practices in India. The Awaken India Movement has urged parents, schools, and state agencies to refrain from participating in the campaign until these issues are resolved.

For further details, the state-wise legal notices and covering letters can be downloaded online. Recipients are warned of legal consequences if the demands are not met promptly.

This development underscores the need for a transparent and evidence-based approach to public health initiatives, balancing the benefits of vaccination with the rights and safety of individuals.

 

Reference: https://awakenindiamovement.com/legal-notices-served-to-chief-secretarie...

Author info

AT News's picture

Assam Times Staff. editor@assamtimes.org

Add new comment

Other Contents by Author

Memorial Meeting Held in Nazira to Honor Educationist Aboni Borthakur

Nazira paid tribute to the late Aboni Borthakur, a distinguished educationist and former Principal of Nazira College, with a memorial meeting held on Sunday. The event, organized at the Nazira M.C. Club, was presided over by Atul Gogoi, a former Principal of another college. The gathering saw the presence of several notable figures, including retired professor Dr. Provat Borah, renowned writer Juri Borah Borgohain, Nazira MLA Debabrata Saikia, and CPI leader Kanak Gogoi, among others. The speakers reflected on Borthakur’s contributions to education and society, celebrating his legacy as a thinker and academician. A highlight of the meeting was the unveiling of a memorial book that...

Guwahati’s Historic Mahafezkhana Demolished, Sparking Outrage Over Heritage Loss

The demolition of Mahafezkhana, Assam’s oldest surviving concrete structure and a vital piece of Northeast India’s architectural heritage, has triggered widespread outrage. Built between 1855 and 1865, the 160-year-old building—once a custodian of crucial land records during British colonial rule—was razed by the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) as part of a park extension and Brahmaputra riverfront beautification project, according to reports published on Sunday. Senior journalist Mrinal Talukdar expressed his dismay on X, describing the demolition as “not just demolition—this is desecration.” In a series of posts, including one at 2:30 AM IST on March 30 (Post ID:...

Numaligarh Refinery Pollutes Dhansiri River, Threatens Ecosystem: Janani Live Reports

The Dhansiri River, a vital tributary of the Brahmaputra, is facing severe pollution due to industrial discharge from the Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), as reported by Janani Live, a local news portal from Golaghat. The contamination has raised alarms among environmentalists and local communities dependent on the river for irrigation and drinking water. Growing Pollution Crisis:According to Janani Live, untreated effluents from the refinery have been flowing into the Dhansiri, increasing chemical toxicity and degrading water quality. The river, which originates in Nagaland and flows through Golaghat and Dimapur, is already burdened by urban sewage, agricultural runoff, and sand...

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi Demands PM Modi Probe ₹70 Crore Assam Apex Bank Scandal

Congress MP and Lok Sabha Deputy Opposition Leader Gaurav Gogoi has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding an investigation into alleged financial irregularities worth approximately ₹70 crore at the Assam Cooperative Apex Bank. According to Gogoi, the scandal involves an outsider businessman, Rajesh Bajaj, who is accused of misappropriating around ₹20 crore, along with an additional ₹50 crore irregularities under the guise of a tender for a data storage system. Gogoi has urged the Prime Minister to order an independent probe into the matter. In a post on his official X handle, Gogoi stated, “I have written a letter to Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji regarding the...

Assam Minister Faces Backlash for Using Derogatory Term Toward Scheduled Castes

Assam Minister Ranjit Das has sparked outrage after allegedly using a caste-based slur during an election campaign, prompting protests and a police complaint. The controversy erupted while Das, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, was campaigning for a ruling coalition candidate in the 30-Bamunigaon constituency of the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council on March 18. During a public speech, he referenced India’s four main social groups—"the poor, women, farmers, and youth"—but also used a derogatory word for Scheduled Castes in Assam. The All Assam Scheduled Caste Youth Students’ Union filed a complaint against Das at Dispur Police Station under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes...

Tensions Rise in Sonapur Over Proposed Land Handover to Air Force

A massive protest erupted today in Sonapur, near Guwahati, as thousands of tribal people gathered to oppose the proposed transfer of vast tracts of land to the Indian Air Force. The demonstration, held at the Sonapur Mini Stadium on Friday, March 28, saw local tribal communities voicing their outrage against what they perceive as an encroachment on their ancestral lands, with slogans such as "We will give our blood, not our land" and "Down with Digaru Air Force" resonating through the air. The unrest stems from the state government's alleged plan to hand over a significant portion of land in Digaru, close to Sonapur, to the Air Force. This move has sparked widespread anger among the...

Senior Journalist Dilowar Hussain Majumdar Granted Bail in Second Case

 The Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court of Kamrup Metropolitan District has granted bail to senior journalist Dilowar Hussain Majumdar in his second case. Following interrogation and searches starting on March 27, Majumdar was produced in court on Friday and released on a bond of 20,000 rupees. The decision came after his advocate, Angshuman Bora, presented arguments in his favor. Police conducted searches at Majumdar’s residence and business establishments, seizing two dumpers during the operation. In a related case involving the managing director of Apex Bank, the police advocate requested the addition of extra charges, but the court rejected the plea. Due to a delay in submitting...

PCI Slams Assam CM for Questioning Journalist Authenticity in Re-Arrest Case

The Press Club of India (PCI) on Friday sharply criticized Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for attempting to define who qualifies as a “legitimate” journalist, following the re-arrest of senior digital media journalist Dilawar Hussain Mozumder by Assam Police on March 27 evening. Mozumder, assistant general secretary of the Guwahati Press Club (GPC), was detained hours after his bail release in a case involving alleged theft of bank documents while covering a protest tied to a recruitment scam. The PCI demanded Mozumder’s immediate release, accusing the state of undermining press freedom. The PCI’s statement highlighted Sarma’s remarks as a distraction from the core issue—...

Shillong Press Club Condemns Arrest of Journalist Dilawar

The Shillong Press Club (SPC) has strongly condemned the arrest of senior Assam journalist Dilawar Hussain Mazumdar, issuing a statement denouncing the action. Mazumdar, the chief reporter of Crosscurrent Digital Media, was first arrested on the night of March 25. Although he was granted bail on March 26, he was rearrested on March 27 based on a complaint filed by the managing director of the Assam Cooperative Apex Bank.  SPC President D L Syiemlieh stated that the rearrest of Mazumdar shortly after being granted bail is deeply concerning and represents a shocking misuse of legal processes. He emphasized that this action constitutes a direct assault on the freedom of the press and...

Guwahati Press Club Holds Emergency Executive Meeting, Announces Action Plan

An emergency executive meeting of the Guwahati Press Club was held today, March 28, 2025, to address the recent re-arrest of Dilwar Hussein Mazumdar and assess the ensuing situation. The meeting concluded with the announcement of the following action plan to highlight concerns and demand action. All journalists are urged to wear black badges during duty hours from March 28, 2025, to March 30, 2025, as a mark of protest and solidarity. A general meeting of journalists has been scheduled for Sunday, March 30, 2025, at 11:30 AM at the Press Club premises. The agenda includes a detailed discussion on the decisions taken during the impromptu meeting held on March 26, 2025. Resolutions will...