Punjab, Haryana, UT making helmet must for women, including Sikh Women
After taking suo motu cognizance of the issue related to women riders not wearing helmets, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday issued a notice to Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. A bench comprising Justice A K Mittal and Justice Amit Rawal issued the notice. In the plea, directions have been sought from the HC to make wearing of protective headgear compulsory while driving/riding two wheelers for women, including Sikh women without turbans. "The primary grievance raised in the writ petition relates to the safety of women, including Sikh women who are not wearing turban, to wear safety headgear while driving or riding two wheelers of any class or description. Let notice be issued to the UT administration, states of Punjab and Haryana through their concerned home secretaries as well as the secretary (transport)," ordered the bench. The matter would come up for hearing on January 11, 2018. Referring to the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act, it was submitted that the rules provided wearing of a protective headgear on the motorcycle of any class or description. However, Sikhs wearing turban were exceptions. As per the author of the note, still most of the women, including the Sikhs, did not wear helmet. "No religion is above safety of measures. By exempting women from wearing helmets, Punjab and Chandigarh has put their life on danger. The inequality treatment by Punjab as well as Chandigarh is not justifiable keeping in view of the safety of the women. Even though Haryana does not provide any exemption to women from hearing helmets, yet no strict action is taken against those violating the rules," the HC was told.
