The Madras High Court recently observed that pregnancy and motherhood cannot become reasons to deprive women of their right to education while granting relief to a woman pursuing her Master of Laws (LLM) degree.
The single-judge Bench of Justice N Anand Venkatesh passed the order while hearing a petition filed by a student who was denied permission to continue her studies and appear for examinations after she failed to meet the mandatory attendance requirement due to pregnancy and childbirth.
The petitioner informed the Court that she had been unable to attend classes for a certain period owing to medical complications related to her pregnancy and subsequent delivery. Despite submitting medical records and seeking relaxation, the educational authorities refused to condone the shortage of attendance.
Taking note of the circumstances, the Court held that educational institutions must adopt a humane and practical approach in matters involving maternity. The court observed that motherhood is a natural phase in a woman’s life and cannot be treated as a disqualification that interrupts or terminates her educational aspirations.
The Court further emphasised that women should not be forced to choose between motherhood and higher education. It stated that constitutional values of equality and dignity require institutions to accommodate such genuine situations with sensitivity.
Accordingly, the High Court directed the university and concerned authorities to permit the petitioner to continue her LLM course and make necessary arrangements for her to complete the academic requirements. The Court also instructed the authorities to allow her to take the examinations, subject to fulfilling other formalities.
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