Who Was Bhanwari Devi? The Rajasthan Social Worker Who Fought For Workplace Safety Laws

In the story of women's rights and the rights of workers in India, few individuals hold more esteem and transformation than Bhanwari Devi. This social worker from the state of Rajasthan, whose tragedy led to a relentless search for justice in the 1990s, revealed the systemic failure in the protection of women workers. While her struggle received a hostile response both socially and legally, her bravery provided the groundwork for the legal rights of women workers in India. Below is the inspiring story of Bhanwari Devi.

Who Was Bhanwari Devi? Early Life And Work

Bhanwari Devi was born into a poor family of low caste in the Bhateri village of the Jaipur district of Rajasthan. However, she managed to make a living and work as a Saathin in the government’s Women’s Development Programme. As a Saathin, she served as a social worker who stood up for the rights of women and promoted education.

What Happened In The Bhanwari Devi Case?

In 1992, while working for the government's program that opposes child marriages, Bhanwari Devi tried to prevent the marriage of an infant who was nine months old in an influential upper-caste family in her village.

As a reaction to her social service work, she had been gang-raped by five men in the presence of her husband in September 1992. While seeking justice, she came across tremendous institutional opposition as well. It took time to file a case with the police; there was unnecessary delay in conducting the medical tests, and discriminatory treatment towards her family was shown by the local authorities. Sadly, in 1995, all the accused men were acquitted in the trial court for ridiculous reasons regarding the caste system.

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How Did Bhanwari Devi’s Fight Lead To Vishaka Guidelines?

Ignoring the verdict of the trial court, the struggle of Bhanwari Devi mobilised an alliance of women’s rights organisations and NGOs named Vishaka. They petitioned for a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to the Supreme Court of India, which contended that sexual harassment against a woman while performing her job is an infringement of her constitutional right to equality and respect as a working woman under Article 14, 19, and 21 of the Indian Constitution.

It was in the landmark judgment of 1997 (Vishaka and Others vs. State of Rajasthan) that the Supreme Court realised the need of the hour since there were no domestic laws to prevent workplace sexual harassment. The Court relied on the principles of international law to lay down the Vishaka guidelines, which made the employer legally liable for workplace sexual harassment.

Impact Of Bhanwari Devi’s Case On Workplace Safety Laws In India

The impact of Bhanwari Devi's case impacted the whole employment scenario in India. The Vishaka Guidelines were the guidelines of the country which protected from sexual harassment for more than 15 years until finally being amended and becoming the ‘Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act).’

Conclusion

The life of Bhanwari Devi is one such example of individual heroism in the face of injustice. Despite the fact that she has gone through many difficulties in life, including a lengthy trial itself, her stand to speak up turned her personal struggle into a nationwide cause. Bhanwari Devi will always remain a symbol of courage and resistance.

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