A group of women lawyers has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the absence of proper toilet facilities for women at the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (SCDRC) premises in Mumbai.
In a letter dated February 3, the Interactive Lawyers Association for Women raised concerns over the “continued inconvenience” faced by female advocates, litigants, and staff due to inadequate sanitation facilities. They have sought urgent intervention to address this issue.
The SCDRC operates from the Old Sachivalaya building near Elphinstone College, where only one washroom is available on the ground floor—and it is designated for men. Women are forced to use limited facilities on the first floor, which they must share with other occupants of the building.
"Some of the lady staff members of the SCDRC and advocates have requested us to bring to your kind notice their plight and to help them secure a basic necessity—the provision of a dedicated toilet/washroom on the ground floor of their workplace. This is their fundamental right," the letter stated.
The association, which has previously been instrumental in installing sanitary pad vending machines in the Bombay High Court and setting up a crèche facility for court staff and lawyers, expressed dismay over the absence of such a basic amenity in a key legal institution.
"It is concerning that while the premises are located in an urban area, the authorities have failed to consider the necessity of adequate sanitation, particularly for women. Such facilities are not a luxury but a mandatory requirement at any workplace," the letter added.
The lawyers also pointed out that the lack of toilets at the SCDRC contradicts the principles of Modi’s Swachh Bharat Mission, which aims to improve sanitation nationwide.
"We acknowledge and appreciate your commitment to providing toilet facilities for all under the 'Pradhan Mantri Swachh Bharat Yojana,' launched in 2014 and extended as SBM-U 2.0 in 2021. However, the situation at the SCDRC does not align with this vision," the letter stated.
The association has urged the Prime Minister to direct the relevant authorities to take immediate action to rectify the situation. A copy of the letter has also been sent to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for necessary intervention.