Former Chief Justice of India N. V. Ramana said the government lacked intent to achieve gender parity despite women forming forty percent of trial court judiciary. He said, “Government showed casual attitude appointing women judges in higher courts.”
The lack of Dalit representation in the higher judiciary is a matter of concern for diversity in the system. At the same time, there is gratitude towards the Supreme Court Collegium for focusing on merit instead of caste when making appointments. This highlights the importance of ability while also addressing the need for fairness. Balancing representation and merit remains a key challenge for the judiciary.
Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, born on August 2, 1964, in Guwahati, Assam, became a Supreme Court Judge on July 14, 2023. With a long career in law, specializing in revenue and taxation, he served in various judicial positions, including Chief Justice of Telangana High Court. Notable judgments include invalidating the Telangana Eunuchs Act, 1919.
Yesterday, On 12th November, The Supreme Court expressed concern over inadequate private washroom facilities for women judges in a Gujarat court, following a letter from a female judicial officer who had to use a senior judge’s restroom. The court emphasized the need for improved infrastructure for female judicial officers during a public interest litigation regarding toilet availability.