The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought the stand of the Centre, the city government and the civic authorities on providing facilities to mothers to breastfeed in public places, observing that they are provided all over the world.
A Bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C. Hari Shankar said the matter needs to be examined by all land owning agencies and civic bodies. It also issued notices to the civic bodies and the Delhi Development Authority, besides the Centre and the AAP government.
The court noted that there are no facilities to breastfeed even at airports here. It directed all the authorities to place a report in four weeks on the action taken by them to address the issue. The matter has been listed for hearing on August 28.
‘Censuring looks’
The court was hearing a PIL filed on behalf of a mother and her newborn seeking facilities to breastfeed in public places, away from “censuring and dishonourable looks”. The plea contended that not providing such facilities amounted to “hampering” women’s right to privacy.
