Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday reacted amid some organisations opposing the mandatory menstrual leave policy and said that it is a government policy.

Last month, the state's Labour Department issued an order mandating one day of paid menstrual leave per month to all women aged 18–52 — working in permanent, contractual and outsourced jobs.

However, the Bangalore Hotels Association (BHA) has filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court challenging the state government’s directive.

When asked about some organisations opposing mandatory leave, Shivakumar said, "It is a Government policy. We have to do equality; I don't feel we should differentiate between men and women."

In the petition, the BHA has questioned the very basis of the order.

The BHA’s petition argued

See Full Page