K'taka HC okays women staff in bars

Karnataka High Court on Wednesday allowed women to be employed in bar and restaurants, reports BR Srikanth.

Karnataka High Court on Wednesday allowed women to be employed in bar and restaurants.

HT Image

In response to two writ petitions filed by a group of bar owners and women employees, challenging the restrictions imposed by the state, Justice D.V. Shylendra Kumar held Rule 9 of the Excise Rules which prohibits employment of women as bars hostesses and Section 20 (2) of the Karnataka Excise Act as violative of the Constitution.

The petitioners complained the restrictions were hindering their fundamental rights and resulting in loss of job opportunities. “The restrictions are outdated and does not fit the modern thinking. They are against gender equality.”

They had also filed an undertaking stating no woman employee at their bar and related establishments will be compelled to serve liquor, if they have objections. “We may not start employing women straight away after the orders, we will wait for some time,” said M.S Jayaram, a petitioner and member of the live band owners association.