HC questions state on use of term ‘mistress’ for teachers

Saurabh Malik

Tibune News Service

Chandigarh, June 20

The age-old practice of christening women schoolteachers as mistresses in Punjab has come under the judicial scanner. Taking cognisance of the use of the not-so-dignified expression for teachers, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked the state to specify steps for changing the nomenclature for referring to them in a more distinguished and dignified manner.

“The Secretary of the Education Department, Punjab, shall file a separate specific affidavit in this regard, as to what steps can be, and/or, are proposed to be taken, in accordance with law for the change of designation,” Justice Arun Monga directed.

Fixing the case for further hearing in July second week, Justice Monga made it clear that the affidavit in the matter was required be filed by then.

Justice Monga in his order apparently took into consideration the use of the term in its contemptuous sense, while looking at the larger issues affecting the dignity of the profession.

Taking up a petition filed by against the state government and other respondents by Maan Singh and other petitioners through counsel Sunny Singla, Justice Monga noticed that nomenclature “mistress” for women teachers to be appointed in a school was used yet again in an advertisement issued on February 21.