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directs Jamia to designate exclusive female toilets, prohibits
In a swift disposal of a , the on , directed to ensure exclusive toilet facilities for all female faculty members and female staff with disabilities on every floor, and explicitly barred any individual from placing a on the facility.
Justice Mini Pushkarna presided over the matter, which was filed by Prof Sujata Ashwarya , a senior professor at the university.
A Student of Unrest Over Restroom Access
The petition arose from Prof Ashwarya's grievance that the sole toilet designated for female faculty on the second floor of the was being used by both men and women, rendering it unhygienic and undignified. She alleged that the key to the facility was previously controlled by select employees, but once opened for common use, the hygiene became unbearable. The petitioner sought exclusive access for female staff.
The university, through its counsel , initially submitted that a decision had already been taken to designate exclusive female staff toilets on the first floor of every building. However, the petitioner clarified that the second-floor toilet remained accessible to all genders.
Court's Observations and Directions
Taking note of the university's statement, the Court recorded that the second-floor toilet would now be designated exclusively for female faculty and female persons with disabilities. The university also undertook to make separate arrangements for male PWD.
The Court further directed:
"The exclusive toilet which have been earmarked for the female faculty members is to be used by all the female faculty members, and no particular person shall be allowed to put any on the said toilet."
The university assured compliance within one week. In light of these assurances, the Court disposed of the petition without further orders, noting that no were necessary at this stage.
Implications
The ruling reinforces the right of women in academic institutions to dignified sanitation facilities, free from . It clarifies that common resources designated for women must remain accessible to all female staff, not controlled by a select few. The decision also subtly underscores that the duty to maintain hygiene lies with the institution, not with individuals locking facilities for personal use.
