Out of step? Holi event organised by Patiala House Bar; dancers gyrate, advocates fume

More than a hundred advocates have signed a letter condemning the hosting of such an event inside court premises, charging the organisers of committing "sexual harassment of a non-verbal nature".

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DANCERS for hire were invited by advocates from the Delhi Bar Association at the Patiala House Court ostensibly to 'celebrate' Holi, which co-incidentally fell on the same day as International Women's Day this year.

More than a hundred advocates have signed a letter condemning the hosting of such an event inside court premises, contending that apart from being unbecoming of lawyers, it amounts to creating a hostile work environment for women lawyers, judicial officers and staff who frequent the court. The signatories have charged the organisers of committing "sexual harassment of a non-verbal nature".

The letter has been addressed to the office bearers of the New Delhi Bar Association, expecting it to express its contempt, and a copy has been sent to the Bar Council of India, asking it to identify individuals who organised the event and take appropriate action against them.

Two videos shot at the event by an invitee have been attached with the letter, which have been seen by The Leaflet, and appear to confirm the letter's claim that the event featured "scantily-clad women dancers, performing what can best be described as inappropriate dance numbers".

Lawyers who ought to be defending the Constitution and working towards gender equality in the workplace, the letter contends, had in actuality committed an act lowering the majesty of the court by organising the event within its premises.

The letter says it was "inappropriate, sexist, and unbecoming of lawyers" to host such an event under the official name of a Bar Association, but more "appalling" was their selection of venue: the Patiala House Court, which itself is in close proximity to the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court.

To bring out the irony, the letter refers to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dr. D.Y. Chandrachud's push for an increased representation of women in the legal profession. In November last year, the CJI had publicly recognised the structure of the profession as being "feudal, patriarchal and not accommodating of women".

"Hosting events that objectify women and reduce them to devices for entertainment and pleasure are directly contrary to all goals of a modern society," the letter says.

Clarifying that it is not directed against the dancers themselves, the letter says that the dancers were merely doing their job and hence, "no disrespect is intended to them".

Nevertheless, the signatories argue that in the setting in which the event was conducted, it had the effect of "bringing disrepute to the country, because it tarnishes the image of India that a Bar Association in the capital city would think of hosting such a vulgar event."

"All lawyers in this city, including women, deserve better," the letter insists.