Welfare Without Respect? The Contradictions of Gender Justice in 2025
Introduction: Taking Stock of Gender Justice in 2025 Assessing a year through the lens of gender justice is never straightforward. 2025 reflected sharp contradictions —landmark judicial interventions, undeniable courage by women across professions, but also entrenched misogyny, political hypocrisy, and structural inequality. From the corridors of power to courtrooms, sports fields to workplaces, India’s gender story this year oscillated between progress and regression. I. Abuse of Power and the Question of Consent: The Nitish Kumar Incident One of the most disturbing moments of 2025 involved Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar forcibly removing a Muslim woman doctor’s face covering during a government appointment ceremony in Patna. The act occurred in a public setting while the woman was receiving her appointment letter for an AYUSH position. Legal Implications Touching a woman without consent constitutes an offence under: Section 354, Indian Penal Code (IPC) – Assault or criminal forc...