HC seeks Delhi Golf Club's reply on tribal woman's plea

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday sought the response of the Delhi Golf Club on a plea filed by a tribal woman, who was in news after being asked to leave the club due to her attire.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Harishankar issued the notice on the plea filed by Kong Tailin Lyngdoh, who also sought a token compensation of Rs 1, which sought direction to places of public entertainment not to discriminate against anyone or violate the right to human dignity.

The court also issued a notice to the Centre on the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Lyngdoh and three others seeking a direction to the Centre to ensure compliance with the constitutional provisions of equality and non-discrimination by establishments which have been allotted land on lease.

The court fixed the next date of hearing on January 30.

The petition, filed through advocate Vrinda Grover, alleged that Lyngdoh was wrongly subjected to unconstitutional restrictions by not allowing her to sit in the dining area of the club, thereby violating her fundamental rights.

After the incident, Lyngdoh, a governess, had accused the club and its members of racial profiling of people which amounts to racial discrimination of tribal people, which is a punishable offence.

Even the Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) had summoned the Delhi Golf Club secretary over the incident, but the move was stayed by the Delhi High Court.

On June 25, staffers of the club had asked Lyngdoh, an invited guest, to leave the dining room as her traditional Khasi attire 'jainsem' looked like a "maid's uniform".