NEW DELHI: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking leave with pay for women across India on menstrual days. The petition says that ignoring menstrual pain and denying leave during menstruation is a violation of Article 14 of the Constitution.

"It is accordingly a violation of Article 14 inasmuch as this Act differentiates women in the name of federalism and state policies. Despite that women suffer from similar physiological and health issues during their menstrual cycles, they are being treated differently in different states of India. However, women, having one citizenship, i.e., of India, must be treated equally and shall be conferred with equal right.", the petition reads

The petition was filed by Advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi.

The petition also states that the pain experienced by a woman during menstruation is similar to the pain experienced during a heart attack citing a study by by University College London. The petition also points out that the problems caused by menstrual pain affect work and states that companies in the country like Zomato, Byjus, Swiggy, Mathrubhumi, Magzter, Industry, ARC, FlyMyBiz, Gozoop etc. are providing paid menstrual leave to women.

Bihar is the only state in India to provide leave during menstruation. In this context, the petitioner contended that the denial of menstrual leave to women in the rest of the states is a violation of their right to equality under Article 14 of the Constitution.