“This is the India we live in,” remarked a Supreme Court judge as he displayed a photo of a menstruating woman who was barred from entering her home. Justice Karol presented this image, which he took in 2023, depicting the woman living under a tent. This situation highlights ongoing issues surrounding menstrual taboos and societal discrimination. The judge’s comments emphasize the need for change and awareness regarding women’s rights and dignity in the country.
Supreme Court Justice Sanjay Karol recently shared a poignant story about a woman who is forced to stay outside her home during her menstrual cycle.
Speaking on Saturday, Justice Karol revealed,
“This photograph I took in a remote village in 2023 shows a lady who is forbidden from entering her house for those five days when she is undergoing a bodily change. This is the India we are living in. We have to reach out to these people.”
The image captured the woman living under a tent, highlighting the ongoing stigma around menstruation in parts of the country.
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Although the judge did not specify where the picture was taken, he mentioned remote areas in Bihar and Tripura where the judicial system has yet to fully reach.
He made these remarks during the first International Supreme Court Advocates on Record (SCAORA) Legal Conference.
Justice Sanjay Karol spoke on the theme of social justice and women’s rights when he displayed the photograph to the audience. He earlier cited examples of court interventions, particularly in cases involving women’s rights and disabled persons, emphasizing that those examples typically involved individuals with access to justice mainly educated people living in metropolitan areas.
Highlighting the disparity in access to justice and the “metro-centric approach” of the legal system, Justice Karol remarked,
“India is not Delhi. India is not Bombay. We are the custodians and guardians of the Constitution of India. We, the people, and you and I, have to play a major role in reaching out to those who do not either have access to justice, do not know what justice is, or are unaware of the systems in place.”
He called for greater efforts to reach the remote regions of India, asking,
“Have you ever thought of the teeming millions living in rural India? Have you spoken their language? Have you reached out to them? Have you understood them?”
Justice Sanjay Karol emphasized,
“We, the people, and you and I, have to play a major role in reaching out to those who do not either have access to justice or do not know really what justice is, or are not even aware of the systems which are in place”
The judge emphasized the Constitution as a dynamic, evolving document that plays a critical role in promoting both social and economic justice.
He remarked,
“The essence of something living lies in its ability to change and adapt. The magnitude of social transformation and economic progress that India has experienced is immense. For everyone dedicated to the idea of India, the Constitution has been the guiding force behind all actions,”
He further noted that by upholding principles of inclusivity and urging the State to address historical injustices, the Constitution creates an environment that supports sustainable economic development and social equality.
The judge also highlighted the interdependence of social and economic justice, stating,
“Inequality is not merely a lack of resources, but a deeper experience of scarcity in comparison to others.”
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