Explanation to be sought from Nayanthara-Vignesh Shivan on surrogacy: Tamil Nadu govt

A day after director Vignesh Shivan and actor Nayanthara anunced birth of ir twin babies, Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian said that his department will seek an explanation from couple if reports claiming surrogacy were true.

Subramanian, during a media address, was flooded with questions as to how star couple who took nuptial vows four months ago in a grand ceremony welcomed twins via surrogacy so soon, and if y had followed surrogacy rules. To this, Minister replied that Directorate of Medical Services will be directed to conduct an inquiry.

He also added, "Surrogacy is subjected to a lot of debate. But law allows individuals to involve in surrogacy if y are above 21 and below 36 years of , with approval of family."

new Surrogacy regulation and its many limitations

question-mark over happy occasion is squarely on account of new Surrogacy Regulation Act, which came into effect from January 25, 2022. It permits what it calls 'altruistic surrogacy' only, and also imposes strict restrictions on both surrogate as well as intending couple. This regulation has come to be questioned and criticised for many groups of people it excludes from having children via surrogacy. 

Altruistic surrogacy means surrogacy in which charges, expenses, fees, remuneration or monetary incentive of whatever nature, except medical expenses and such or prescribed expenses incurred on surrogate mor and insurance cover for surrogate mor are given to surrogate mor or her dependents or her representative. 

Crucially, Act specifies eligibility criteria for intending couple as well as surrogate. intending couple should be married and between of 23 to 50 years in case of females and between 26 to 55 years in case of males. y should t have any surviving child biologically or through adoption or through surrogacy earlier. 

A surrogate mor has to be a close relative of couple, a married woman with a child of her own, d between 25-35 years, who has been a surrogate only once in her life. intending couple and surrogate mor are given a recommendation certificate from a designated board. This cant be done without consent of Director-in-Charge of Surrogacy Clinic and officer qualified to determine matter. y should certify in writing that circumstances are acceptable to undergo surrogacy.

However, re is official confirmation from couple if babies were born via surrogacy. 

Nayanthara & Vignesh Shivan welcome twin babies 

Taking to his Instagram handle on Sunday, Vignesh Shivan shared a couple of pictures with Nayanthara shedding smiles as y kissed ir twins' feet. In caption, he said, "Nayan & Me have become Amma & Appa. We are blessed with Twin Baby Boys. All Our prayers, our ancestors’ blessings combined with all good manifestations made, have come 2gethr in form Of 2 blessed babies for us. Need all ur blessings for our Uyir & Ulagam. Life looks brighter & more beautiful. God is double great."