S KASTHURI Vs. CHAIRMAN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) ''Charkha Chala Chala ke lenge, Swarajya lenge" (by spinning we will get our freedom). This slogan chanted by the masses of India during the colonial rule in our country has been put to a mockery by the respondents by issuing the impugned notice to the petitioner.

(2.) THE petitioner, an employee of the Airports Authority of India, has come forward with this writ petition seeking for a direction to the respondent to permit her to report for duty in Khadi-handloom/cotton dresses of the same shape/colour issued by the Department instead of wearing the dress made of silk/synthetic material.

(3.) THE petitioner sent a requisition letter dated 08.8.1996 to exempt her from wearing the uniform prescribed and permit her to continue wearing khadi or handloom dresses of the same shade or colour prescribed by the Department. As she did not get any reply, she continued to attend office in her own dress. However, by an order dated 12.8.1999, the third respondent directed her to wear the uniform prescribed by the Airports Authority while on duty as otherwise it will be viewed as the most indisciplined behaviour and serious lapse on the part of the official and action will be initiated against her under the provisions of NAA (ECDA) Regulations, 1988.