On December 16, 2012, the gang-rape of a young woman in a bus in Delhi triggered outrage across the board, putting freedom from rape and sexual assault at the forefront of public debate. Ironically, young lawyer revealed that during those very protests, a retired judge of the highest court of the land had sexually harassed her while she was working with him as an intern, and that she was able to speak about it only 10 months later. On December 16, 2013, women’s rights activists across India issued a statement:
Statement from women’s rights activists across India on December 16, 2013
Exactly one year ago, the gang-rape of a young woman in a bus in Delhi triggered immense outrage across the board, putting freedom from rape and sexual assault at the forefront of public debate. From law reform to overhaul of institutions of justice delivery, from media sensitisation to public awareness, women’s safety is now squarely on the public agenda, thanks to mass protests. Ironically, a young lawyer revealed that during those very protests, on December 24, 2012, a retired judge of the highest court of the land had sexually harassed her while she was working with him as an intern, and that she was able to speak about it only 10 months later.
According to her statement, Justice (Retd) AK Ganguly currently the chairman of the West Bengal Human Rights Commission, after insisting that she work on an assignment with him at a hotel in Delhi late in the evening, made unwelcome advances and said, “’ ‘You know that I’m attracted to you, don’t you? You must be thinking, what, this old man is getting drunk and saying such things. But I really like you, I love you.’ “When I tried to move away, he kissed my arm and repeated that he loved me.” This is not merely inappropriate behavior by a senior over junior staff or interns; it is not merely over-stepping of boundaries; it is not merely a friendly overture: such acts constitute a clear case of abuse of power and sexual harassment at the workplace which are against the law.
Today, we fight to ensure that sexual harassment of women at the workplace is regarded not only as illegal, but also unacceptable and intolerable. We also struggle to ensure that public institutions maintain their credibility and only individuals of the highest integrity and an impeccable record of upholding human rights are at their helm. Unfortunately, Justice (Retd) AK Ganguly is not such a person, with ample prima facie evidence of his having sexually harassed a young woman with impunity.
Following the young woman lawyer’s shocking revelations of sexual harassment by Justice (Retd) Ganguly, a committee of three judges of the Supreme Court on November 28 put forth its conclusion that the statement of the intern both written and oral, “prima facie discloses an act of unwelcome behavior (unwelcome verbal/ non verbal conduct of sexual nature) by Mr Justice (Retd) AK Ganguly with her in the room in hotel Le Meridien on 24.12.2012 approximately between 8.00 P.M. and 10.30 P.M.”
Justice (Retd) AK Ganguly has refused to step down from his position as the chairman of the West Bengal Human Rights Commissionon the grounds that he has not been found guilty by an appropriate court. However, it must be noted that he occupies an office of trust, which demands that the character of the individual must be above reproach, until his name is honourably cleared of all allegations. Otherwise, the credibility of the institution is itself at stake, and the message communicated is: women’s rights do not matter.
Today, we demand that the government assure the women of India and particularly young women entering the workforce, that they will step into a workplace free of sexual harassment, where no form of sexual violence will be condoned, irrespective of the stature or rank of the perpetrator. The State must vindicate the constitutional promise to women of a life with dignity, by breaching the impunity for sexual wrongs. Protection of human rights must include the upholding of women’s rights and the bodily integrity and dignity of women, in keeping with Constitutional guarantees as well as international commitments under the CEDAW.
We therefore demand:
- The Prime Minister must request the Hon’ble President of India to make a reference to the Supreme Court of India to initiate proceedings under Section 23 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, for the removal of Justice (Retd) AK Ganguly as Chair of the West Bengal Human Rights Commission.
- Those heading public institutions must adhere to the highest standards of professional and personal conduct and integrity in order to uphold the credibility and effectiveness of these institutions. Adherence to these standards must be not only criteria for selection but also an integral part of the code of conduct to continue in office.
Signed:
1. Aarthi Pai, Centre for Advocacy on Stigma and Marginalisation (CASAM)
2. Anagha Sarpotdar, practitioner and researcher (violence against women), Mumbai
3. Anuradha Pati, freelance development professional, Hyderabad
4. Aruna Burte, Solapur
5. Arundhati Dhuru, National Alliance of People’s Movements
6. Chayanika Shah, LABIA – A Queer Feminist LBT Collective, Mumbai
7. Dr Kaveri RI, neuroscientist, Hyderabad Central University, Hyderabad
8. Dr Manjima Bhattacharjya, researcher, Mumbai
9. Farah Naqvi, writer and activist, Delhi
10. Geeta Seshu, journalist, Mumbai
11. Janaki Nair, professor, Centre for Historical Studies School of Social Sciences, JNU
12. Jhuma Sen, assistant professor, Jindal Global Law School
13. Juhi Jain, feminist activist, Delhi
14. Kalpana Mehta, Manasi, Indore
15. Kalyani Menon-Sen, Feminist Learning Partnerships, Gurgaon
16. Kamayani Bali Mahabal, feminist and human rights activist, Mumbai
17. Kiran Shaheen, journalist, Delhi
18. Laxmi Murthy, journalist, Bangalore
19. Maithreyi Mulupuru, visiting professor, National Law School of India University
20. Mary E John, Centre for Women’s Development Studies, New Delhi
21. Meena Saraswathi Seshu, SANGRAM, Sangli
22. Nandini Rao, activist, Delhi
23. Purwa Bharadwaj, Delhi
24. Pushpa Achanta, journalist, Bangalore
25. Rajashri Dasgupta, journalist, Kolkata
26. Rakhi Sehgal, Hero Honda Theka Mazdoor Sangathan, Haryana
27. Ratna Appnender, lawyer, New Delhi
28. Rohini Hensman, Mumbai
29. Sadhna Arya, associate professor, Delhi University
30. Sandhya Gokhale, Forum Against Oppression of Women, Mumbai
31. Saumya Uma, Women’s Research & Action Group, Mumbai
32. Sheba George, SAHR WARU, Ahmedabad
33. Sujata Gothoskar, independent researcher and activist, Mumbai
34. Suneeta Dhar, Jagori, Delhi
35. Trupti Shah, Sahiyar (Stree Sangathan), Vadodara
36. Vani Subramanian, Saheli, Delhi
37. Vimochana, Forum for Women’s Rights, Bangalore
38. Virginia Saldanha, Indian Women Theologians Forum
39. Vrinda Grover, lawyer, Delhi
