Karnataka Government's 'Sexist' Circular to its Employees is Withdrawn

BENGALURU, KARNATAKA: A circular issued to the ten thousand employees of Vidhana Soudha and Vikas Soudha in Bengaluru last month, tells them not to waste time talking in groups in the corridors or talk to loudly on the mobile phone. Fair enough ? But there is one line that specifically targets women employees of the secretariats of Karnataka state assembly and council, telling them not to wander around unnecessarily.

Champa Prakash, a visitor to the assembly said, "Even we have certain works to be done. We are fighting for the cause of public, we are not coming for our individual self here. So whoever has told, it is wrong."

But the no talking rule seems to have been taken very seriously. NDTV asked many women employees about their views, but most did not want to speak.

And some agree with the rule.

Kausalya, a woman employee said, 'It is wrong to move around, as we have come here to work. We just need to work well, and not wander around. It is wrong. Work is worship. That is the true word."

But NDTV certainly didn't agree and we spoke to the law minister, who finally agreed to change the sexist wording.

T.B. Jayachandra, Law Minister said, "It applies to all, not exclusively for women, of course one word is mentioned about that. And in other two paras it is clearly mentioned all employees."

NDTV asked if the circular could be re-issued without the word 'mahila' or women being singled out. The minister said, "No problem, we will re-issue covering all. It pricks us also, so we will correct it and issue again."

And NDTV saw those orders being given for correction in the circular.