New Delhi: Taking a stringent stance on the lack of administrative action regarding women’s health initiatives, the Supreme Court has issued a stern warning to States and Union Territories, threatening them with contempt of court proceedings if they fail to submit data on the implementation of menstrual health directives.
A bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan expressed strong dissatisfaction over the failure of state governments to provide the required information to the Centre. Issuing a final ultimatum, the bench cautioned that if the Chief Secretaries of the defaulting states do not furnish details explaining the steps taken to implement the court’s prior directives, they will be served with formal contempt notices.
To expedite the compliance process, the apex court directed the Central government to demand written submissions from all states and Union Territories. The primary focus remains on the ground-level execution of the detailed directives issued in the court’s September 1 order. Furthermore, the bench suggested that the Centre formulate and distribute a comprehensive questionnaire to systematically gather this critical health data from local administrations.
During the proceedings, the bench strongly reiterated the constitutional significance of the issue, reminding the authorities that the court has already declared menstrual hygiene a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution. The justices questioned the administrative apathy regarding the matter, remarking, “If our judgment remains only on paper, how will the Centre, states, and Union Territories implement this fundamental right?”
Highlighting the social urgency of the mandate, the court pointed out the severe consequences of infrastructural negligence on female education. The bench observed that the comprehensive guidelines were framed primarily to safeguard the interests of young girls, particularly in remote and rural areas of the country, who are frequently forced to abandon their education due to inadequate menstrual hygiene management and a lack of proper facilities in schools.
The Supreme Court has granted the states one final opportunity to comply with the orders and submit the requisite responses to the Union government. The matter has been scheduled for its next hearing on December 14, where the top court will review the compliance reports.