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The Supreme Court Women Lawyers Association (SCWLA) has condemned former Supreme Court judge, Justice Markandey Katju's comments that suggested that women lawyers could secure favourable judicial orders by "winking" at a judge.
In a press release issued on Friday, the SCWLA expressed that the remarks made by Justice Katju are misogynistic and offensive and warrant a public apology. "Such comments are not merely offensive but an assault on the dignity, credibility, competence, integrity and professional Advocate standing of every woman in the legal fraternity", the press release stated. It added the comments not only demean women advocates but also erode public confidence in the impartiality of the justice system and perpetuate harmful stereotypes that have no place in a democratic society. "It is deeply disturbing that a former judge of the Supreme Court, who once entrusted with the responsibility of upholding constitutional values, would trivialise the hard work and merit of women lawyers through casual sexism", the Association said. In its press release, the Association also demanded an unconditional public apology from Katju and urged the legal community to reject and censure such regressive attitudes, which undermine both gender equality and the integrity of our judicial institutions. Following the condemnation, former SC judge Justice Katju has issued an apology and said that his comments were made as a joke. Justice Katju said on X, "I hereby apologise for posting on fb that lady lawyers who winked at me got favourable orders. It was said as a joke, and in fact, I deleted the post shortly after it was posted. However, it seems many lady lawyers took it seriously and felt hurt. So I apologise, as demanded by the Supreme Court Women Lawyers Association." (ANI)
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