Women Should Demand 50% Reservation In The Judiciary, Not As Charity But As A Matter Of Right: CJI Ramana

Drawing from the ideas of Karl Marx, Chief Justice N.V. Ramana remarked that women of the world must unite because they have nothing to lose but their chains. He observed that women must 'shout with anger and demand 50% reservation', not as charity but as a matter of right. Acknowledging thousands of years of suppression of women, he expressed that it is high time we must realize and reach this goal in the Supreme Courts and other subordinate courts.

He was addressing the felicitation function organized by the Lady Advocates honor of Hon'ble CJI and Hon'ble Judges of Supreme Court on 26 09 2021

Citing statistics on the representation of women, he informed that women constitute less than 30% strength of the lower judiciary, while at the High Court, they are at a meager 11%. At the Supreme Court, we now have four out of 33 judges, CJI remarked. He further said that amongst 1.7 million lawyers, only 15% are women, while they constitute only 2% of the elected representatives at the State Bar Councils.

Referring to the proposal of Judicial Infrastructure Corporation as the 'need of the hour,' he further remarked,

"This needs urgent correction. People will cite difficulties that women have to face to be fully represented. That is not correct. I agree there is the client's preference, uncomfortable environment, and lack of infrastructure are the major issues unfriendly to women in the legal profession. Among the 60,000 Courts, 22% do not even have toilets due to which even lady officers suffer.

On the demands raised by the lady advocates earlier in the session, he mentioned that he supports the resumption of the physical hearing, noting that the Senior Counsels have reservations regarding this. Moreover, he expressed his reluctance to take any further risks amidst the COVID-19 pandemic; however, he stated that post-Dushehra holidays, it is hopeful that courts can be fully reopened physically.

He also strongly recommended and supported the demand for a certain percentage of reservations for women at law schools.

He wished a very happy Daughter's Day to all the lady advocates in attendance. He referred to the lady advocates as role models of the younger generation, assuring his support to all their causes.