PIL Filed In Rajasthan High Court To Change Terminology Like 'Baanjh', 'Parityakt', 'Nirashrit' Used For Women In Different Government Schemes

The present public interest litigation has been filed by Kunal Rawat.

The petitioner sought following reliefs from the court:

"I. Writ in nature of mandamus or any other direction instructing the respondent Nos. 1 and 2 to appoint to change the terminology used for the women in different schemes of the Respondents.

II. And pass such other or order or orders as to Your Lordships may deem proper and fit. And your petitioner, as in duty bound, shall ever pray."

The petitioner had also sought additional reliefs in the nature of mandamus or any other direction directing the state and to give suitable instruction to the Rajasthan Commission for Women requiring them to develop, maintain and ensure speedy justice in POCSO matters. The petitioner also sought direction to respondents to submit the report of the number of cases registered and number of cases which have been disposed of in offences related to women.

However, during the course of hearing, the court noted that the petitioner has sought not to continue with the aforesaid additional reliefs in the petition, considering more than one cause of action has been clubbed in one petition. In this regard, the court granted liberty to the petitioner to file a separate petition.

Acting Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice Sameer Jain, observed,

"Considering the submission, the petitioner is granted liberty to file separate petition in respect of relief Nos. II & III as prayed for in the writ petition. This petition will continue in respect of relief Nos. I & IV.

Let necessary corrections be carried out by moving application for amendment in the petition within a week."

It was alleged by the petitioner that there was no sense of concern amongst the Respondents to improvise the condition of women in the state despite news articles being published in the daily local newspaper.

The plea states,

"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 shouldn't be accepted by this Hon'ble High Court."

Further, the plea added,

"That it is the legislative intent of various Legislations of the country intent into an empowerment of women, protection and development of women of the country. That it is pertinent to mention herein that terminology like "ब ाँझ, परित्यक्त, निि श्रित" is being used for women across the State of Rajasthan."

It was also stated in the plea that the persons affected by such acts of the State are numerous and are not in a position to approach this court and hence, the petitioner has filed the present PIL on behalf of such affected persons. It was also mentioned that if the petition is allowed, then it would benefit the woman of this country generally as rule of law is essential for democracy and that such brazen violation of law by the respondents can be stopped by the orders of this Court only

The court has listed the matter for orders in the week after next.

The counsels for the petitioner include Ms. Radhika Maharwal, Ms. Devika Jain, Ms. Nisha Chandran, Ms. Neha Agarwal, Ms. Sara Parvin, Ms. Aradhana Swami and Ms. Kanika Burman. The petitioner Mr. Kunal Rawat also appeared before the court in-person.

Case Title: Kunal Rawat v. State of Rajasthan & Ors.

Citation:

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