Rajasthan High Court issues notice in plea seeking change of words ‘Baanjh’, ‘Parityakt’, ‘Nirashrit’ used for women in different Govt schemes
A division bench of Chief Justice S.S. Shinde and Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand issued notice to the respondents and listed the matter for further hearing on July 27, 2022.
The Jaipur bench of Rajasthan High Court has recently issued a notice on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a change of the words ‘Baanjh’, ‘Parityakt’, ‘Nirashrit’ used for women in different Government schemes.
A division bench of Chief Justice S.S. Shinde and Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand issued notice to the respondents and listed the matter for further hearing on July 27, 2022.
Court also ordered that the counsel appearing for the petitioner is free to serve as Standing Counsel for the respective respondents.
The Petitioner Kunal Rawat seeks a mandamus writ or any other order directing the State to change the terminology used for women in its various schemes.
Rawat claims that despite news articles being published in the daily local newspaper, there was no concern among the respondents to improve the condition of women in the state.
The plea stated that the empowerment of the litigants as women has been a continuing process with the coming into force of the current legislative version state policies using derogatory and sexist terminology in different policies for women should not be accepted by the High Court.
The plea further stated that it is the legislative intent of various laws in the country to empower women, protect women, and develop women in the country. So, it is important to note here that terminology such as ‘Baanjh’, ‘Parityakt’, and ‘Nirashrit’ is being used for women throughout the state of Rajasthan.
Furthermore, it stated that the persons affected by such acts of the State are numerous and are unable to approach this court, so the current PIL has been filed on their behalf.
It was also stated that if the petition is allowed, it will benefit women in general because rule of law is essential for democracy and that such flagrant violations of the law by the respondents can only be stopped by orders of the High Court.
Case Title: Kunal Rawat v. State of Rajasthan & Ors.