Viral Pune court notice raises eyebrows

The notice which has now been withdrawn speaks about how hair tying practice of women lawyers ‘disturb’ court proceedings

Chaitraly Deshmukh-Tajane

Pune

A ‘strange’ order (fatwa) was issued by the registrar of the Pune District and Sessions Court in Shivajinagar on October 20, which has been shared by the Supreme Court advocate Indira Jaising. The order that has gone viral on social media platforms allegedly states this – It has been observed that women lawyers often tie or braid their hair in court. It affects the functioning of the court. Therefore, women lawyers are advised to refrain from doing this.

Sharing the notice, Jaising tweeted, “Who is being distracted by women lawyers and why?”.

However, when Pune Pulse contacted some of the Pune Bar Association members, they replied that no such notice has been received and also said that after Diwali when courts open, they shall discuss and accordingly approach the authority concerned.”

As per people in the know-how, the notice had been withdrawn immediately after objections were raised on a large scale.

Reacting to the notice, Advocate Geetanjali Kadate said, “It is really strange that women lawyers are targeted this way. We, as lawyers, are known to follow proper decorum, code of conduct and professional ethics.  What is disturbing them and why? Why are they paying attention to these things when the case trial is going on? This shows the attitude of court superiors.”

She further added, “In the past, as members of the women bar Association of Pune district, we have raised a lot of issues like inadequate washrooms, hygiene of court,  proper place for sitting. These issues have never been taken by the court.”

Advocate and Nationalist Congress Party leader, Rupali Patil Thombare said, “The order shows the attitude and thought process of the court and I think it is against the constitutional rights of the citizen. The women lawyers are competent enough.  They do not need to use such tactics to distract the proceedings. In court, we too see men lawyers using the comb to brush up their hair and beard. Why is that not mentioned? Such order showcases the mentality of the superiors.”