The Supreme Court of India called it “shameful” for a welfare state to violate the rights of women. This was while addressing the 12-year delay in the Nagaland government’s implementation of a 33 per cent reservation for women in urban local bodies.
The bench consisting of justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and MM Sundresh pointed out that by doing so, Nagaland would only be doing what is a constitutional obligation and not any favour on women.
“We have no trust in the state government...12 years! Something which could have been automatically done requires so much effort. This is very sad...shocking state of affairs,” remarked the bench, pointing out that the law was made years ago in 2016, according to which there should have been a 33 per cent reservation for women in urban local bodies. The court further drew attention to how NGO PUCL and activist, Rosemary Dvuchu, had to be at it for a decade, just to get the state to implement the law.
The court asked: “Will they wait for a lifetime for you to do something? We are shocked how you can do this. How can any welfare state do this?”
The court added: “You talk about gender equality. This is the part of the country where women are educated. They are independent, financially and socially responsible, and have contributed to the economy of this country. And this is how you treat the matter. “
The Supreme Court directed the state election Commission to issue the poll notification within two weeks without any further delay.