A harrowing incident in Uttar Pradesh, India, has drawn global attention after a 20-day-old baby girl was discovered buried alive in the Shahjahanpur district. The infant was found by a shepherd who, while grazing his goats, heard faint cries emanating from beneath a mound of earth. Upon closer inspection, he noticed a tiny hand protruding from the soil. The shepherd immediately alerted villagers, who subsequently called the police. Authorities arrived promptly and rescued the infant, who was rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit of a government-run hospital. Hospital officials report that the baby is in critical condition, battling severe infections and complications from the ordeal. Dr. Rajesh Kumar, the principal of the medical college, stated that the infant was brought in covered in dirt, with mud lodged in her mouth and nostrils, causing oxygen deprivation. Despite initial signs of improvement, her condition has since worsened due to infections and insect bites. Dr. Kumar emphasized that the baby’s wounds appeared fresh, suggesting she was buried shortly before being discovered. A team of specialists, including a plastic surgeon, is working tirelessly to save her life. Police have yet to identify the perpetrators, but the incident highlights the persistent issue of gender-based violence in India, where a cultural preference for male children has led to widespread female infanticide and abandonment. This case is not isolated; in 2019, a premature newborn girl was found buried alive in a clay pot, though she eventually recovered. India’s skewed gender ratio, one of the worst globally, is a consequence of deep-rooted social discrimination against girls, who are often viewed as financial burdens. Activists argue that illegal sex-selective abortions and post-birth killings of female infants remain prevalent, particularly in impoverished communities. The baby’s plight has reignited calls for stricter enforcement of laws against gender-based violence and greater societal change to address this ongoing crisis.