Political parties have to be safe spaces for women

Political parties are not workplaces, the Supreme Court has determined, and so do not come under the protection

- Namita Bhandare

Political parties are not workplaces, the Supreme Court has determined, and so do not come under the protection of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, or to use its catchy acronym, POSH. To bring political parties under POSH would make ita “tool for blackmail”, India’s top court observed while dismissing a special leave petition.

The Supreme Court'sliteral interpretation ofa workplace ignores the reality of modern politics which, you could argue, for many is now a profession with the perks of power including free housing, medical benefits, and other allowances. Even if you go only by nomenclature, parties have offices, office-bearers and employees who are paid salaries. ‘Thereisa hierarchy of subordinates and seniors. There is fund-collection, bank accounts and organised activity such as protests and rallies. “To not call them workplaces defies logic,” said senior advocate Shobha Gupta who appeared for the petitioner, MG Yogamaya in the Supreme Court.