Congress MLC Ramesh Babu urges Rahul Gandhi to appeal to the Centre for a menstrual leave policy for women employees.

Dated 22nd October 2025

News By Dr. B R Abdul Wajid

Editor in Chief

Bengaluru | Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Media and Communication Department Chairman and MLC Ramesh Babu has written a letter to Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi, urging him to raise the issue of menstrual leave for women employees at the national level.

In his letter, Ramesh Babu appreciated the Karnataka Government’s decision to grant one-day menstrual leave every month for all working women employees, calling it a progressive and compassionate step that recognizes women’s health and workplace dignity.

He pointed out that there is currently no Central Government policy or circular granting menstrual leave to women employees in Central Government departments or institutions. Referring to a Lok Sabha reply given on March 24, 2023, he noted that the Central Government had stated menstruation is a normal physiological process and had declined to consider menstrual leave at that time.

Ramesh Babu requested Rahul Gandhi to urge the Central Government to implement a similar menstrual leave policy for women employees working in Central Government offices, public sector undertakings, educational institutions, aided institutions, and cooperative sectors.

He said that such a policy, if introduced nationwide, would promote gender equality, ensure better workplace well-being, and inspire the private sector and other states to follow Karnataka’s example.

Ramesh Babu emphasized that extending Karnataka’s model at the national level would benefit lakhs of women employees and reflect India’s commitment to gender justice and inclusive governance. He requested Rahul Gandhi to raise this matter in Parliament and press the Central Government to adopt and implement the one-day menstrual leave policy across the country.

Ramesh Babu concluded his letter by stating that empowering women begins with recognizing their natural needs with dignity and compassion. He said that the Congress Party has always stood for equality and justice, and hoped that Rahul Gandhi’s leadership would help bring this important reform at the national level, benefiting millions of working women across India.

News By Dr. B R Abdul Wajid