Keywords- Women lawyers, Nilgiris, toilet, court, 25 years
In October last year, the new combined court complex building in Udhagamandalam (Ooty) was inaugurated, over two decades after the four-acre plot was allotted for the same.
The women lawyers of Ooty have been demanding a women’s toilet in the court complex for the past 25 years. They have been practicing without access to a women’s toilet and have faced difficulties controlling their water intake or relying on toilets in nearby houses. Despite representations made to the District Judge and the Madras High Court, their demands have gone unanswered.
On International Women’s Day this year, the women lawyers formed the Nilgiris Women Lawyers’ Association and continued their agitation for a women’s toilet and a room for their use. They even went on a hunger strike, but threats of suspension and consequences forced them to call it off. The new court complex, built at a cost of ₹39 crore, lacks a toilet for women lawyers. In February, two rooms and an attached toilet were allocated to the women lawyers by a judge, but three days later, the rooms were sealed, claiming they were meant for the Records Room.
The women lawyers approached the Supreme Court for redressal, but the court disposed of their petition, stating that necessary steps had been taken. The district judge then allocated two small rooms and cramped toilets for their use. However, the rooms are inadequate in size according to Public Works Department norms, and the women lawyers feel their demands for a proper space have not been addressed.
The women lawyers express their frustration at having to fight for basic amenities like a toilet and the lack of understanding from their male colleagues. They consider the denial of such amenities as harassment and find it difficult to continue their work without proper facilities. Despite their long-standing fight, a solution has not been reached, and the two rooms and toilet they were previously offered have been locked again.
Written by- Anjali Sudha, College name – Haridev law college, Kashipur, Semester- 6th Sem an intern under Legal Vidhiya.
