Maternity Leave is a Woman’s Fundamental Right: Supreme Court Upholds Dignity of Motherhood

ICIM Chairman Satendra Singh Welcomes Progressive Judgment Securing Women’s Workplace Rights In a landmark decision, the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India declared that availing maternity leave is not a privilege but a fundamental right for all working women. The apex court firmly struck down the decision of the Madras High Court, reinforcing that motherhood and maternity care are integral parts of a woman’s right to life and dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Mr. Satendra Singh, Chairman of the Indian Council of Industrial Management (ICIM) and a leading advisor for workplace equity and compliance, hailed the judgment as “a resounding affirmation of women’s constitutional and human rights.” Background of the Case: The case revolved around a woman schoolteacher in a government-aided high school in Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu. After her divorce in 2017, she was granted custody of her two children. In 2018, she remarried and later conceived another child. When she applied for maternity leave in 2021 for her newborn, her request was denied by the Tamil Nadu education department on the grounds that she already had two children, which, as per state rules, disqualified her for further maternity benefits.

The High Court upheld the state’s rejection, citing Rule 101(A) of the Tamil Nadu Fundamental Rules. However, the Supreme Court overturned this interpretation, emphasizing that denying maternity leave on such a ground violates the spirit of equality and dignity guaranteed to every woman.

Supreme Court Observations: The bench comprising Justice Ajay Rastogi and Justice Bela M. Trivedi clarified: • The right to maternity leave is rooted in a woman’s right to life and personal liberty.

• The restrictions on granting maternity leave to women with more than two children are arbitrary if applied without examining the individual facts of the case.

• The State cannot infringe upon a woman’s right to health and motherhood by imposing narrow administrative rules.

Chairman Satendra Singh’s Statement: Speaking on the matter, ICIM Chairman Satendra Singh stated: “This verdict is a significant milestone for working women across India. It not only upholds the legal rights of women but also reflects the evolving understanding of motherhood in modern society. Maternity is a sacred responsibility, not a statistical limit. No policy should ever compromise a woman’s health, dignity, or her right to nurture life.” He further emphasized that ICIM, as a nationally recognized body for industrial compliance and training, will actively disseminate awareness of this judgment among industries, HR professionals, and corporate compliance officers to ensure fair treatment of women employees.

Implications of the Verdict: • Women with more than two children will no longer be automatically denied maternity leave.

• Individual circumstances such as custody, remarriage, and biological responsibility must be considered.

• Employers and state authorities must uphold maternity leave as a non-negotiable part of a woman’s right to life, health, and equality.

ICIM’s Call to Action: ICIM urges all organizations—public and private—to update their HR policies in alignment with this Supreme Court ruling. Mr. Singh reiterated ICIM’s commitment to promoting gender-sensitive labor practices, especially through its compliance training programs accredited by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

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