Delhi High Court mandates both parents’ names on educational certificates for gender equality, emphasizing equal recognition in academic achievements. Justice C Hari Shankar dismisses archaic gender notions, asserting equal entitlement of both parents.
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DELHI: The Delhi High Court has mandated the inclusion of both parents names in educational certificates and documents, marking a significant step towards gender equality in academic records. Justice C Hari Shankar emphasized the equal entitlement of both parents to recognition in their child’s educational achievements.
Justice Shankar’s observations shed light on the outdated gender biases that have long influenced academic documentation. He stated:
“Just as a daughter and son are equally entitled to recognition as the children of a couple, the mother and father are also equally entitled to recognition as parents of the child.”
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He further criticized the archaic views on gender differences, adding-
“To even question or deny this would suggest an archaic and unrealistic notion of gender difference, which is a notion that has clearly outstayed its welcome.”
The court’s decision aligns with the evolving societal norms where gender equality is increasingly recognized and celebrated.
Justice Shankar remarked:
“I am, therefore, completely in agreement with Ms. Prasad [petitioner] in her submission that there is no reasonable justification for only mentioning the father’s name alone in any certificate relating to education or educational qualifications. It would be clearly retrogressive if educational certificates, degrees, and other such documents reflect the name only of the father of a candidate, eliminating the name of the mother. The names of both parents should necessarily be reflected on the body of the certificate.”
The judgment also highlighted the significant progress women have made in the field of law, with Justice Shankar noting:
“To even psychologically compartmentalize human beings on the basis of sex and gender would be woefully anachronistic. It is a matter of pride and joy to this Court to see that a majority of young Counsel at the bar today – including the redoubtable Ms. Prasad – are girls, and, even more satisfyingly, I am informed that 70% of graduates from law schools today are girls.”
The case arose when Ritika Prasad, a law graduate from Amity University, approached the court after her degree from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) listed only her father’s name. The court’s decision was backed by a 2014 circular from the University Grants Commission (UGC), which mandates the inclusion of both parents’ names on educational documents.
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Justice Shankar’s directive to GGSIPU was clear and unequivocal:
“The Court hereby facilitates the administrative process for university officials by issuing explicit directives. Henceforth, any document pertaining to students necessitating the inclusion of parental names must mandatorily feature both the father and mother’s names. This directive is deemed non-negotiable and must be strictly adhered to.”
Furthermore, the court ordered GGSIPU to issue a new degree to Prasad reflecting both her parents’ names within two weeks and directed the UGC to circulate the order among all universities under its jurisdiction.
Justice Shankar commended Prasad for her initiative, stating:
“This Court appreciates the effort of Ms. Ritika Prasad in moving the present writ petition, which highlights a felt necessity of our times.”
The case, argued by Prasad herself, against GGSIPU represented by advocates Kunal Mittal and Shiv Dutt Kaushik.
CASE TITLE: Ritika Prasad v Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University
