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Listen to My Case! When Women Approach the Courts of Tamil Nadu
‘This is a book about brave women. Brave – because the process of going to court is hard; even harder when the woman is without financial or emotional support from family, custom, or the present reading of the law. It speaks powerfully to every woman, and everyone who abhors gender-based discrimination.’ – Githa Hariharan, novelist
Justice K. Chandru, former judge of the Madras High Court, heard many cases in his illustrious career and passed landmark judgments on them - over 54,000 in fact.
Among these are rulings on common burial grounds irrespective of caste, community-based reservation in noon meal centres, women becoming priests in temples, dispensing with police permission to stage plays, and more.
In twenty short accounts of such cases, Justice Chandru recounts how bold and courageous women, by approaching the law for redressal of wrongs done to them, have not only contributed to the fight for social justice, but have broadened and enriched the very meaning of justice.
JUSTICE K. CHANDRU is an advocate and former judge of Madras High Court. He disposed of 96,000 cases during his tenure as a Judge. A 1993 case that Chandru argued as a lawyer is the subject of the hit Tamil film Jai Bhim (2021, dir. T.J. Gnanavel), in which his character is played by the actor Suriya.
Justice K. Chandru, former judge of the Madras High Court, heard many cases in his illustrious career and passed landmark judgments on them - over 54,000 in fact.
Among these are rulings on common burial grounds irrespective of caste, community-based reservation in noon meal centres, women becoming priests in temples, dispensing with police permission to stage plays, and more.
In twenty short accounts of such cases, Justice Chandru recounts how bold and courageous women, by approaching the law for redressal of wrongs done to them, have not only contributed to the fight for social justice, but have broadened and enriched the very meaning of justice.
JUSTICE K. CHANDRU is an advocate and former judge of Madras High Court. He disposed of 96,000 cases during his tenure as a Judge. A 1993 case that Chandru argued as a lawyer is the subject of the hit Tamil film Jai Bhim (2021, dir. T.J. Gnanavel), in which his character is played by the actor Suriya.
- GenresLawIndiaNonfiction
112 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 6, 2021
16 people are currently reading
224 people want to read
About the author
K. Chandru
10 books10 followersJustice K. Chandru (born 1951), is an Indian advocate and former judge of Madras High Court. Chandru has disposed of 96,000 cases during his tenure as a Judge. Chandru is known for a case which took place in 1993 when he was practising as a lawyer, to which the film Jai Bhim is dedicated.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 9, 2022
t is well-known that judicial interventions have played a crucial role in women empowerment. Justice K. Chandru notes that it was only in the mid of 1970s, women came forward knocking on the doors of courts to seek Justice.
Since Independence, the courts have seen several disputes which paved for much-needed reforms to ensure gender equality. The case of Vishaka was once such instance where, in 1997, the apex court first defined 'sexual harassment', leading to the 13-point guidelines in dealing with sexual harassment cases in a time when the necessary laws were absent in the statute books. Though it took the Parliament to enact the same into law in 2013, the direction provided by the court was indeed a watershed moment.
Along similar lines, Justice K. Chandru highlights twenty crucial cases from the High Court of Tamil Nadu when women, with great difficulty, approached the court for remedy in a wide range of matters, from discrimination, harassment, marital discord, violence, and family disputes.
Five judgments by the Madras High Court presented in the book that I found to be important were:
1. Women’s right to perform priestly duties in religious places.
2. Women’s right to all maternity benefits for bearing children born through surrogacy.
3. Reservation for Dalit & Tribal women in works related to Anganwadi/Mid Day Meal Schemes.
4. Labour rights and employment guarantees for women with mental disabilities.
5. Protection of women’s right to privacy and dignity against cultural vigilantism and moral policing.
The stories Justice K. Chandru portrays in the book cover all aspects of women's lived experiences, cutting across gender, caste, class, and religion. Since most of the cases presented here had happened in recent times (sexual abuse of school girls in the Pothumbu village of Madurai took place in 2011), the stories warrant the collective sensitization of society concerning gender.
Since Independence, the courts have seen several disputes which paved for much-needed reforms to ensure gender equality. The case of Vishaka was once such instance where, in 1997, the apex court first defined 'sexual harassment', leading to the 13-point guidelines in dealing with sexual harassment cases in a time when the necessary laws were absent in the statute books. Though it took the Parliament to enact the same into law in 2013, the direction provided by the court was indeed a watershed moment.
Along similar lines, Justice K. Chandru highlights twenty crucial cases from the High Court of Tamil Nadu when women, with great difficulty, approached the court for remedy in a wide range of matters, from discrimination, harassment, marital discord, violence, and family disputes.
Five judgments by the Madras High Court presented in the book that I found to be important were:
1. Women’s right to perform priestly duties in religious places.
2. Women’s right to all maternity benefits for bearing children born through surrogacy.
3. Reservation for Dalit & Tribal women in works related to Anganwadi/Mid Day Meal Schemes.
4. Labour rights and employment guarantees for women with mental disabilities.
5. Protection of women’s right to privacy and dignity against cultural vigilantism and moral policing.
The stories Justice K. Chandru portrays in the book cover all aspects of women's lived experiences, cutting across gender, caste, class, and religion. Since most of the cases presented here had happened in recent times (sexual abuse of school girls in the Pothumbu village of Madurai took place in 2011), the stories warrant the collective sensitization of society concerning gender.
August 19, 2023
Listen to my case : when women approach the courts of Tamilnadu
This is a book written by justice k Chandru Rtd judge of Madras High court. As the title mentions the book talks about the story of 20 women who went to court to seek their justice.
It is now a 150yrs since the high courts were established in India. yet, it was only after the UN's declaration of the International year of women in 1975 that women began to approach the courts for remedies to their problem .
This book narrates the story of brave women who approach courts for remedy in a wide range of matters like Discrimination on gender basis , violence. Sexual harrasment, Marital discord , dignity , problem at work , property disputes etc..
(Brave- because the process of going to court is hard; even harder when the woman is without financial or emotional support from family , custom or the present reading of law - Gita Hariharan)
Here I am mentioning some of the few important judgement discussed in this book
1. Sexual violence on Pothumbu girls
2. K.Kalaiselvi Vs Chennai Port Trust .
Which deals with women's right on Maternity benefits , surrogacy and adoption .
3. V.Govindaraj Vs The Superintendent Engineer , TN electricity distribution Circle.
This case highlights the Vishaka Judgement and talks about the protection of women at workplace against sexual harrasment.
4. Pinnaiyakkal Vs The District collector, Madurai
This talks about a woman who was denied her right to perform ritual duties as a priest in temple just because she is a woman.
5. D. Pothumalle Vs District Collector , Thiruvarur .
This case is about Reservation of SC/ST women to work in Anganwadis.
Like these there are many cases which talks of Humiliation , discrimination and violation of fundamental rights of the common people and how those people went to court to protect themself. Also , how the courts handled these cases and enacted laws based on these cases.
This is a very important book to know the importance of judiciary system & Indian constitution and the role it Plays in safeguarding the rights of common people.
These cases are the best example to tell that the Law is a Weapon for everyone which acts as a shield to protect people from all kinds of social evils.
#renyaragavi
This is a book written by justice k Chandru Rtd judge of Madras High court. As the title mentions the book talks about the story of 20 women who went to court to seek their justice.
It is now a 150yrs since the high courts were established in India. yet, it was only after the UN's declaration of the International year of women in 1975 that women began to approach the courts for remedies to their problem .
This book narrates the story of brave women who approach courts for remedy in a wide range of matters like Discrimination on gender basis , violence. Sexual harrasment, Marital discord , dignity , problem at work , property disputes etc..
(Brave- because the process of going to court is hard; even harder when the woman is without financial or emotional support from family , custom or the present reading of law - Gita Hariharan)
Here I am mentioning some of the few important judgement discussed in this book
1. Sexual violence on Pothumbu girls
2. K.Kalaiselvi Vs Chennai Port Trust .
Which deals with women's right on Maternity benefits , surrogacy and adoption .
3. V.Govindaraj Vs The Superintendent Engineer , TN electricity distribution Circle.
This case highlights the Vishaka Judgement and talks about the protection of women at workplace against sexual harrasment.
4. Pinnaiyakkal Vs The District collector, Madurai
This talks about a woman who was denied her right to perform ritual duties as a priest in temple just because she is a woman.
5. D. Pothumalle Vs District Collector , Thiruvarur .
This case is about Reservation of SC/ST women to work in Anganwadis.
Like these there are many cases which talks of Humiliation , discrimination and violation of fundamental rights of the common people and how those people went to court to protect themself. Also , how the courts handled these cases and enacted laws based on these cases.
This is a very important book to know the importance of judiciary system & Indian constitution and the role it Plays in safeguarding the rights of common people.
These cases are the best example to tell that the Law is a Weapon for everyone which acts as a shield to protect people from all kinds of social evils.
#renyaragavi
November 11, 2021
Precise, to the point book. Written by a judge that has done enough and more to the society. Quick read
July 7, 2024
Justice K. Chandru’s book is a collection of 20 compelling short accounts that highlight the courage and resilience of women who approached the courts in Tamil Nadu, primarily the Madras High Court. These women faced daunting challenges, yet they fought the system with great determination.
It’s an easy, short and crisp book that sheds light on the struggles faced by women seeking justice and their impact on broader social justice. These stories enrich our understanding of the legal system where women not just face institutional barriers as litigants, but, also, as lawyers navigating the legal system, and their endeavour to remain significant.
It’s an easy, short and crisp book that sheds light on the struggles faced by women seeking justice and their impact on broader social justice. These stories enrich our understanding of the legal system where women not just face institutional barriers as litigants, but, also, as lawyers navigating the legal system, and their endeavour to remain significant.
July 18, 2023
எதற்கு வீணாக வழக்கு போட்டுக்கொண்டு?
எதற்குத் தேவையில்லாமல் காவல் நிலையத்திற்கு அலைந்து கொண்டு?
ஒரு பெண் காவல் நிலையத்திற்கு அடிக்கடி போனால் ஊர் என்ன பேசும்?
என்றெல்லாம் இருந்துவிடாமல் அரசாங்கத்தையும் அமைப்பையும் எதிர்த்து நீதிக்காக அறத்துக்காக வழக்காடி வெற்றி கண்ட தமிழ்நாட்டுப் பெண்களின் கதைகளைக் கூறுவதே இந்நூல்.
கும்பகோணத்தில் தன் வீட்டு வாசலில் இருக்கும் படியினைத் தேவையில்லாமல் இடிக்கிறார்கள் என்று நீதிமன்றத்திற்குக் கடிதம் எழுதுகிறார் வழக்கு தொடுக்க வசதியற்ற ஒரு பாட்டி. அதை ரிட் மனுவாய் ஏற்று பாட்டிக்கான நீதியை வழங்குகிறது நீதிமன்றம். அதன்பின் இன்பமாய்ப் படியில் ஏறியிறங்குகிறார் பாட்டி.
இப்படித் தொடங்கி கணவரையும் மகனையும் இழந்த பெண்கள் தொடுத்த வழக்குகள் வரை பல வழக்குகளை உள்ளடக்கியது இந்தப் புத்தகம்.
ஒருவரின் மனநலத்தைக் கணக்கிற்கொண்டு அவரைப் பணிநீக்க முடியாது எனும் அதிரடித் தீர்ப்பு வந்த கதை சிலிர்க்கச் செய்கிறது.
நீதிக்காக இருபது ஆண்டுகள் காத்திருக்க நேர்கிறது பலர்க்கு அந்தக் காத்திருப்பு தான் மனதை வதைக்கிறது.
நீதியின் மீது நம்பிக்கை ஏற்படுத்தும் படியான இருப்திரண்டு வழக்குகளைத் தொகுத்திருக்கிறார் ஓய்வு பெற்ற நீதியரசர் சந்துரு.
எதற்குத் தேவையில்லாமல் காவல் நிலையத்திற்கு அலைந்து கொண்டு?
ஒரு பெண் காவல் நிலையத்திற்கு அடிக்கடி போனால் ஊர் என்ன பேசும்?
என்றெல்லாம் இருந்துவிடாமல் அரசாங்கத்தையும் அமைப்பையும் எதிர்த்து நீதிக்காக அறத்துக்காக வழக்காடி வெற்றி கண்ட தமிழ்நாட்டுப் பெண்களின் கதைகளைக் கூறுவதே இந்நூல்.
கும்பகோணத்தில் தன் வீட்டு வாசலில் இருக்கும் படியினைத் தேவையில்லாமல் இடிக்கிறார்கள் என்று நீதிமன்றத்திற்குக் கடிதம் எழுதுகிறார் வழக்கு தொடுக்க வசதியற்ற ஒரு பாட்டி. அதை ரிட் மனுவாய் ஏற்று பாட்டிக்கான நீதியை வழங்குகிறது நீதிமன்றம். அதன்பின் இன்பமாய்ப் படியில் ஏறியிறங்குகிறார் பாட்டி.
இப்படித் தொடங்கி கணவரையும் மகனையும் இழந்த பெண்கள் தொடுத்த வழக்குகள் வரை பல வழக்குகளை உள்ளடக்கியது இந்தப் புத்தகம்.
ஒருவரின் மனநலத்தைக் கணக்கிற்கொண்டு அவரைப் பணிநீக்க முடியாது எனும் அதிரடித் தீர்ப்பு வந்த கதை சிலிர்க்கச் செய்கிறது.
நீதிக்காக இருபது ஆண்டுகள் காத்திருக்க நேர்கிறது பலர்க்கு அந்தக் காத்திருப்பு தான் மனதை வதைக்கிறது.
நீதியின் மீது நம்பிக்கை ஏற்படுத்தும் படியான இருப்திரண்டு வழக்குகளைத் தொகுத்திருக்கிறார் ஓய்வு பெற்ற நீதியரசர் சந்துரு.
May 22, 2022
Good and quick read to know about some of the cases fought and won by some brave women. Written by a very respected Justice K Chandru, Jai Bhim is a movie based on him. Do watch that movie and read this book too.
December 6, 2024
A very short and simple book by legendary Justice K. Chandru contains short accounts of women who showed temerity in approaching the Madras High Court for redressal of wrongs done to them, such as gender discrimination and the fight against caste, class, and communal divisions.
August 13, 2021
Petite book. Ends too soon. Case descriptions concise and just enough. A very encouraging book! Respect for Madras High Court shot up several notches.
Want to read
November 5, 2021Very good book
January 30, 2022
A well written book. We get to know many brave ladies. And also a lot of information abouth the working of courts and the law.
April 22, 2023
Inspiring !
September 11, 2023
Good read has lots of cases explained in detail
July 22, 2024
Accessibility to court and inclusiveness in law is pertinent for the effective delivery of justice. Women in India albeit the universal adult franchise were conditioned not to approach court. This book is a courageous account of 20 real life stories of women who approached to the courts and made a change in the society. Justice K Chandru has shared these twenty instances with his own anecdotes. It's a lovely read.
Geetha Hariran perfectly Sums this book- " This is a book of brave women. Brave- because the process of going to court is hard ; even harder when the woman is without financial or emotional support from family, custom,or the present reading of the law. It speaks powerfully to every woman, and everyone who abhors gender -based discrimination '
Geetha Hariran perfectly Sums this book- " This is a book of brave women. Brave- because the process of going to court is hard ; even harder when the woman is without financial or emotional support from family, custom,or the present reading of the law. It speaks powerfully to every woman, and everyone who abhors gender -based discrimination '
March 12, 2022
While the anecdotes are very brief, they open up questions about how the society is organised in general. The book presents 20 court cades and Justice Chandru's choice of cases is unique: the women in this book are not merely arguing for themselves but are firmly challenging the status-quo. This makes it a very interesting read.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews