The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) on Friday issued notice to the Delhi Golf Club based on a complaint of discrimination filed by Tailin Lyngdoh, a Khasi woman.
Ms. Lyngdoh had accompanied her employer, Nivedita Barthakur, to the club on June 25. Ms. Lyngdoh, who works as a governess to Ms. Barthakur’s son, alleged that two club officials asked her to leave the table and the club saying that her attire (Jainsem) was a “maid’s uniform”. They also allegedly hurled racial abuses at her.
The commission has now asked the club to submit a reply, facts and information, and action taken within seven days.
The notice came on a representation received from the chairperson of the Meghalaya State Commission for Women and the Civil Society of Assam. The commission has also decided to investigate the matter in pursuance of the powers conferred upon it under Article 338-A of the Constitution.
Time frame given
The notice mentions that if the commission does not receive a reply from the club within the stipulated period, it may exercise the powers of civil courts conferred on it and issue summons asking the club’s office-bearers to appear before it.
Reacting to the NCST’s notice, Ms. Barthakur thanked the commission and all those who took up the cause. “To the silent majority that doesn’t raise its voice against discrimination and racism because we feel we don’t have a voice or no one listens, let this incident encourage us to never suffer silently. India does not belong to the rich and powerful alone! The idea of India is much larger than just one identity,” she wrote on social media.
She added that “for those who said this was a ‘small’ incident and should not have taken up so much public discourse, let that question be answered by ordinary citizens of the Northeast who are discriminated and humiliated every day!”
The Delhi Golf Club, meanwhile, said it had set up an inquiry by independent persons who are not members of the club.
