New Delhi: The Supreme Court has dismissed the petition seeking to make menstrual leave compulsory in workplaces and colleges. The bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud stated that the court cannot decide as it is a matter of policy. The court also asked the petitioners to submit a petition to the Ministry of Women and Child Welfare. The court observed that mandating the provision of menstrual leave may deter employers from hiring women.
Shailendra Mani Tripathi, a native of Delhi, approached the court with the petition. The demand in the petition was to direct the governments to take action according to the fourteenth section of the Maternity Benefit Act.
Earlier, when a question was raised in Parliament about menstrual leave, the central government replied that it is not under consideration now. The question was in the context of granting menstrual leave in Kerala universities.
