In a recent pronouncement, the Supreme Court of India declared laws and regulations founded on gender bias to be constitutionally impermissible. The court emphatically stated that rules which consider the marriage of female employees and their domestic commitments as grounds for disentitlement are unconstitutional.
The apex court specifically addressed a case involving the release of a permanent commissioned officer in the Military Nursing Service due to a patriarchal rule, deeming it a glaring instance of gender discrimination and inequality. Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, presiding over the case, directed the Union government and other parties to compensate former Lieutenant Selina John with Rs 60 lakh within eight weeks as a comprehensive resolution.
The court categorically deemed the discharge of Lt. Selina John from service based on a marriage-related rule as illegal and manifestly arbitrary. The bench highlighted the inherent discrimination and inequality in terminating employment solely because of a woman’s marital status, emphasizing that such patriarchal rules undermine human dignity, the right to non-discrimination, and fair treatment.
Despite the Center’s challenge to the Armed Forces Tribunal’s decision to reinstate Lt. Selina John with all consequential benefits, the Supreme Court refused to interfere with the tribunal’s order. The bench rejected the notion that a permanent commissioned officer in the Military Nursing Service could be released or discharged on the grounds of marriage.
Furthermore, the court noted the withdrawal of the contentious Army Instruction No 61 of 1977, titled “Terms and conditions of service for the grant of permanent commissions in the Military Nursing Service,” through a subsequent letter on August 29, 1995.
The Supreme Court reiterated the unconstitutionality of laws and regulations rooted in gender bias, emphasizing that rules considering the marriage of women employees and their domestic responsibilities as a basis for disqualification are impermissible. In modifying the Armed Forces Tribunal’s order, the court mandated the Union government to promptly compensate the officer with Rs 60 lakh within eight weeks. Additionally, the bench decreed that failure to make the payment within this timeframe would incur interest at the rate of 12% per annum from the date of the order until payment.
Live Updates on Farmers Protest: On Thursday evening, a group of Union ministers is scheduled to engage in discussions with farmer leaders, as announced by Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a leader from the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political). The meeting will include Union ministers Arjun Munda, Piyush Goyal, and Nityanand Rai, marking the third round of discussions between the two parties. Stay tuned with TOI for real-time updates.
Live Updates
15:00 (IST) Feb 15
Live Updates on Farmers’ Protest: The government has enforced the suspension of internet services in specific areas of Punjab, including Patiala, Sangrur, and Fatehgarh Sahib districts, until February 16, following directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs. This decision is in response to the ongoing farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ march.
13:54 (IST) Feb 15
Live Updates on Farmers’ Protest: Addressing the farmers’ protest, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar emphasizes that while raising demands and heading to Delhi is a right, the motive behind the protest needs scrutiny. Expressing concerns about the methods employed, he states, “We have an objection to the way they are protesting…Tractor is not a mode of transport, they can come on buses or trains. Discussions should be done democratically so that a solution can be reached…”
13:18 (IST) Feb 15
Live Updates on Farmers’ Protest: Amid the rail roko (rail blockade) in Punjab, Naveen Kumar, senior divisional commercial manager of Ambala railway division, reports the cancellation of two trains and the diversion of six trains via the Ludhiana-Sahnewal-Chandigarh route. Two trains have been short-terminated due to the Rail Roko. Notably, Shatabdi or Vande Bharat trains are unaffected.
13:04 (IST) Feb 15
Live Updates on Farmers’ Protest: Farmers have penned a letter to the UN Secretary General, prompting opposition from the central government. The government urges the withdrawal of the letter to the UN Secretary General.
12:37 (IST) Feb 15
Farmers Protest Live Updates: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah sent an official letter to MP chief minister Mohan Yadav requesting the MP Police to release Karnataka farmers
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday sent an official letter to MP chief minister Mohan Yadav requesting the MP Police to release Karnataka farmers, who were enroute to protest in New Delhi, immediately
12:23 (IST) Feb 15
Farmers Protest Live: Farmers stage ‘Rail roko’ protest in Punjab
Farmers blocked railway traffic across Punjab, here they sitting at Barnala railway station against repression in farmers at borders of Punjab with Haryana while the farmers were on way to Delhi on Feb 13
11:58 (IST) Feb 15
Live Updates on Farmers’ Protest: Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher has suggested that the Prime Minister engage with the three Union ministers to address the farmers’ demands. In anticipation of a meeting with the Centre’s panel, which includes Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Arjun Munda, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, farmer leaders aim to discuss various issues, including the demand for a law guaranteeing Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops. Speaking at the Shambhu border, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee general secretary Pandher emphasized the importance of accepting the protesting farmers’ demands.
11:56 (IST) Feb 15
Live Updates on Farmers’ Protest: The government expresses optimism regarding a positive outcome from the physical talks with farmers scheduled for this evening, as conveyed by a prominent official on the sidelines of an agricultural event.
11:41 (IST) Feb 15
Farmers Protest Live Updates: Panel of 3 union ministers to hold talks with farmer leaders in Chandigarh
A panel of three Union ministers will hold a meeting with protesting farmer leaders in Chandigarh Thursday for another round of talks amid the ongoing standoff between the agitators and security personnel at the Punjab-Haryana border. Agriculture and Farmer Welfare minister Arjun Munda, minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and minister of state for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai will meet the farmer leaders at 5 pm here over their various demands, including a law guaranteeing Minimum Support Price for crops.
11:38 (IST) Feb 15
Farmers Protest Live Updates: Delhi Police orders 30,000 tear gas shells
The Delhi Police has placed orders for over 30,000 tear gas shells, according to an official, as part of their preparations to prevent Punjab farmers from entering the national capital during their ‘Dilli Chalo’ protest. Hundreds of farmers en route from Punjab have been halted at the state’s border with Haryana near Ambala, approximately 200 kilometers away from Delhi. Haryana security forces have utilized tear gas to disperse the protesting farmers.
11:37 (IST) Feb 15
Live Updates on Farmers’ Protest: Farmers remain defiant as tear gas shells are deployed at the Punjab-Haryana borders
At the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana, Haryana security personnel have fired tear gas shells on farmers from Punjab who have gathered there on the second day of their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march. Police action was taken whenever groups of protesting farmers attempted to advance towards the barricades. Some farmers responded by pelting stones at the security personnel positioned near the barricades. The police have deployed a drone to monitor the protesting farmers, who are demanding a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP).
11:37 (IST) Feb 15 Live Updates on Farmers’ Protest:
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher asserts, “Our demands aren’t ‘repetition’ but a matter of life and death for us,” ahead of the farmers’ meeting with three Union ministers in Chandigarh later today. He emphasizes that they will present their points to the ministers during the meeting.
11:36 (IST) Feb 15
Farmers Protest Live Updates: Centre’s stance on farmers’ protest hypocritical, says Congress leader Jairam Ramesh
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday lashed out at the centre over the farmer issue saying that there is a need to understand chronology now.”The Swaminathan committee in 2006-07 presented their report on MSP. After that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wanted to take a decision. He formed a panel of the National Development Council. The chief of this body was then the Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi. In Feb 2011, the panel submitted a report to Manmohan Singh. Modi then stated that MSP must be given a legal status. Talks were held. We then lost power at the centre,” explained Jairam Ramesh.
