The Supreme Court sent a powerful message on May 22, spotlighting a glaring gap in our courts: the scarcity of women judges. It’s not just about ticking diversity boxes — it’s about enriching the very fabric of judicial decision-making.
“The country stands to gain immensely from a judiciary that is not only skilled and dedicated but also diverse,” the Court declared. Diversity here isn’t a buzzword; it’s the key to justice that understands the full spectrum of society’s realities.
In a recent judgment reinstating a female judge from a Scheduled Tribe who’d been dismissed over non-disclosure of past government employment, the bench — led by Justices BV Nagarathna and SC Sharma — laid out a broader vision. They called attention to three critical junctures for women in law: entry into the profession, staying power and growth in numbers, and breaking through to leadership roles.
The court found no valid reason to dismiss the judge since she had resigned from her previous job before joining the judiciary — her omission in disclosure did not warrant such a harsh penalty.
What’s striking is how the ruling linked women’s presence in courts to societal change:
- Appointing women judges at senior levels can smash deep-rooted gender stereotypes about who “belongs” where.
- Seeing women on the bench opens doors for their presence in other leadership roles in government.
- When women judges are visible, more women feel empowered to seek justice and assert their rights.
This isn’t just about numbers but about transforming attitudes and building a judiciary that truly reflects the society it serves. The Court’s words resonate loud and clear: a competent, committed, and diverse judiciary is not a luxury — it’s a necessity.
In the case of Pinky Meena vs. The High Court of Rajasthan, the Court overturned the dismissal, recognizing her resilience and dedication amid societal hurdles — a decision that reflects a judicial system growing in empathy and insight.
The message is clear: breaking the bench ceiling for women isn’t just right — it makes justice better for all.
