‘Maintain restraint while commenting on women’

Bombay High Court asks politicians

The Bombay High Court on Thursday observed that politicians should maintain decorum and self-restraint while making speeches or comments on women.

The observation ws made by a division bench of Justice Vidyasagar Kanade and Justice Swapna Joshi while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking framing of guidelines for politicians while giving speech in the public or media.

Advocate Anubhav Ghosh, appearing for the petitioner told the bench that politicins these days while making comments indulge into ‘character-assasination’ of women.

Ghosh, also referred to the speech made by Congress leader Gurudas Kamath, in Rajasthan, last year wherein the leader had made certain ‘derogatory’ comments over the then Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani.

He told the bench that due to such ‘derogatory and misogynist’ comments by politicians on a daily basis, women are ‘discouraged’ from entering politics. He also pointed out at a report by Inter-Parliamentary record, wherein India is positioned on 103rd rank, which is much behind Bangladesh, Suadi Arab etc. The report, as per Ghosh is based on the Representation of Women in Parliament.

Ghosh, also highlighted the excellence of women in other fields like medicines, entrepreneurship etc and argued that because of the derogatory comments and remarks by politicians, women refrain themselves from enetering politics.

He sought directions to the Union Ministry of Women and Child Welfare to frame guidelines for politicians. However, the bench held that it cannot direct the legislative to frame new laws or rules.

The bench said, “We appreciate your concern but we are not in the position to direct the legislator for forming new laws.” “As far as women are concerned, we believe that everyone must maintain a decorum and self-restraint while making any comment,” the bench observed.

“There have been instances wherein, politicians make certain statements and it is only after media publishes it, they deny or claim that their statements are taken out of context,” the bench further observed.

Accordingly, the bench issued notices to the Union Ministry of Women and Child Welfare along with ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and the Union Law and Judiciary ministry.

The matter is kept after two weeks for further hearing.