The District and Sessions Judge (Northwest & North) issued a circular clarifying that the directive regarding the creche facilities at Rohini Courts Complex “was never issued with the intent to discriminate anyone” and “rather the spirit was to extend the facility to all with an effort to maintain high standards of hygiene”. The clarification came after an earlier directive led to widespread protests from within the legal community and outside. The earlier directive has stated that the crèche facility will be available to court staff only “if the children of judges are not available” and provided “the children are neat, clean, hygiene is maintained and are free from disease”. On Tuesday, the new circular said “all judicial officers and the court staff would be at liberty to make use of the creche facility”. “Those desirous may inform the office in advance as there is a space constraint. It is also made clear that the previous circular was never issued with the intent to discriminate against anyone and rather the spirit was to extend the facility to all with an effort to maintain high standards of hygiene.” the order issued by District Judge (North) Pradeep Chaddah and District Judge (Northwest) Yogesh Khanna. [related-post] All girls in the age group of 2.5 years to 12 years and boys in the age group of 2.5 to 9 years may be maybe kept at the creche. On Tuesday, All India Parents Association said, “The circular issued is reminiscent of the racist outlook of the colonial era. It seeks to segregate children on the basis of parental hierarchical position in the establishment and exhibits the class prejudices of the issuing authority towards the children of lower-ranked employees.”
