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New Delhi: A Pune district court has withdrawn its controversial notice asking women lawyers to not fix their hair in open court as it disturbs “functioning”, LiveLaw reported.
The notice was issued on October 20 and received widespread criticism after images of it were shared on social media.
The notice said, “It is repeatedly noticed that women advocates are arranging their hair in open court, which is disturbing the functioning of the Court. Hence, women advocates are hereby notified to refrain from such act.”
Senior advocate Indira Jaising shared the notice on Twitter, saying: “Wow now look! Who is distracted by women advocates and why!”
Wow now look ! Who is distracted by women advocates and why ! pic.twitter.com/XTT4iIcCbx
— Indira Jaising (@IJaising) October 23, 2022
It was the heavy criticism that led to the notice being withdrawn, the report said.
Also read: Skewed Corridors of Justice: Women Continue to Face Sexism in Courts
One Twitter user wrote, “What an absolutely absurd notice. The extent of patriarchy is just ridiculous.”
What an absolutely absurd notice.
The extent of patriarchy is just ridiculous.— ranjona banerji 🇮🇳 (@ranjona) October 23, 2022
“Registrar/Court administration in Pune District Court should provide sufficient common rooms for lady advocates rather than putting such humiliating notice in public place,” another user commented.
Registrar / Court administration in Pune District Court should provide sufficient common rooms for lady advocates rather than putting such humiliating notice in public place.
— Manjusha (@nayan25952606) October 24, 2022
Another user wrote, “Is this for real!!! Should the persons so easily capable of being distracted be associated with the justice delivery system?”
Is this for real!!! Should the persons so easily capable of being distracted be associated with the justice delivery system? https://t.co/1ggvY2WZLD
— NANDITTTA BATRA (@nanditta11) October 24, 2022
“Nothing about male lawyers intimidating women lawyers (including senior advocates) in open court but women advocates arranging their hair in court is disturbing the functioning,” another user tweeted.
Nothing about male lawyers intimidating women lawyers (including senior advocates) in open court but women advocates arranging their hair in court is disturbing the functioning. 🤦🏻♀️ https://t.co/4F0ZhXU3Ca
— Nupur Thapliyal (@nupur_0111) October 24, 2022
“The power to impede justice lies in your hands (or hair?), ladies,” a Twitter user wrote.
The power to impede justice lies in your hands (or hair?), ladies. https://t.co/9ig20gN22t
— Nimisha Jaiswal (@NimishJaiswal) October 24, 2022