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The Supreme Court will hear a public interest litigation on Monday seeking the inclusion of political parties under the anti-sexual harassment law.
The petition urges the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Communist Party of India-Marxist, the Communist Party of India, the Trinamool Congress, the Nationalist Congress Party, the National People’s Party, the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Aam Aadmi Party in the parties’ memo.
According to the docket published on the Supreme Court’s website, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Manmohan will hear the case for hearing on December 9.
The PIL seeks a declaration that political parties are required to follow the procedure for protection of women at workplace as per law Sexual harassment Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Rehabilitation) Act, 2013.
Further, it seeks guidelines to form a grievance mechanism against sexual harassment, as per the directions of the Supreme Court in the case of Vishaka versus State of Rajasthan.
“The petition seeks to ensure compliance of political parties with the POSH Act and provide a safe working environment for women, free from sexual harassment,” the plea said under Article 32 of the Constitution.
The petitioner, Yogamaya MG, a practicing lawyer at the Supreme Court and women’s rights and empowerment through her work.
With millions of members across political parties, it is clear that politics plays an important role in Indian society, the petition said, adding that the presence of Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) to address sexual harassment is inconsistent across these parties. The PIL argued that the lack of standardized ICCs across political parties may lead to inadequate reporting and handling of sexual harassment cases, disparate levels of protection and support for victims and the persistence of a culture that tolerates or ignores sexual harassment. It said the petition aims to ensure that Indian political parties prioritize creating a safe and inclusive environment for women to participate in politics.
(With inputs from IANS)
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