Do we need a law to enable breastfeeding in public?

YES It’s a woman’s right

In order to answer this question, first we need to ask why are breasts considered a “sexual” organ. Why is it considered offensive to expose them in public, especially for feeding an infant? Many may consider a breastfeeding law trivial and low on priority, but it’s very important if we need to bring a change. Women should be legally allowed to breastfeed their child in public because it’s a harmless act of a mother providing for her baby, and not some morally degrading, low act. Alternatively, it should be mandatory for public places to designate private rooms for feeding in public, because we all know our legislation takes decades to pass a law. Sukriti Gumber, Mumbai

YES There’s nothing indecent about it

We need a law to enable breastfeeding in public. If a man can feel entitled enough to whip out his penis and urinate in public, a woman should not think about the consequences if she decides to do something as simple and essential as feeding her child in public. The only question regarding breastfeeding in public should be why we need a law to do so in the first place and why isn’t something so normal simplified yet. Once people understand that sexualising breasts is a social construct and that feeding your baby is a necessity, the logic behind having such a law will be understood. Anushka Khosla, Delhi

NO It’s all about morality

Women shouldn’t be allowed to breastfeed in public since it is indecent and inappropriate exposure. It’s for the common good to not have a law protecting such behaviour, since a breastfeeding woman would attract negative attention to make her feel harassed. On the other hand, it puts others in an awkward situation if a woman around them pulls out her breast to feed her child. It is an avoidable situation, as there are breast pumps that could be used for bottling milk for use in public.