In a significant ruling, the Rajasthan High Court has asserted that no girl should be denied education due to temporary health conditions like anaemia caused by menstruation. The Court granted relief to Sakshi Choudhary, a 19-year-old who was denied admission to the B.Sc (Nursing) course under the Armed Forces Medical Services despite qualifying the entrance process.
Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand, delivering the judgment, stated:
“A girl's health condition like the petitioner should not hinder her access to education merely because her hemoglobin was found to be below the prescribed level due to heavy menstrual bleeding. Menstrual cycle should not be treated as a barrier to the education of any girl child. Denying education on the basis of health concerns, arising due to menstruation, is unacceptable.”
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Sakshi had passed the screening process but was declared unfit by the Special Medical Board due to low hemoglobin. She appealed to the Appellate Medical Board but was again deemed unfit within 24 hours. She then approached the High Court.
Following interim orders by the Court, a review medical board was constituted. This board re-examined Sakshi and found her “fit for anemia.” Despite objections from the State, which cited 18 similar rejections due to low hemoglobin, the Court upheld the petitioner’s case.
“Anaemia is not a permanent condition. It is the most common blood disorder and can arise temporarily, particularly due to menstrual health issues like menorrhagia, which affects 10-15% of women in India annually,” the Court observed.
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The Court dismissed the argument that admitting Sakshi would affect others’ rights. It emphasized that the Review Medical Board's opinion was final since it concluded she was medically fit.
“If 17 other candidates chose not to assert their rights and accepted the rejection, it doesn’t mean this petitioner must be denied justice.”
The Court directed that Sakshi be granted admission to the B.Sc (Nursing) program under the Armed Forces Medical Services in one of the colleges where a seat had been kept vacant per earlier court orders.
“The respondents are expected to adopt a lenient and compassionate view in such matters,” the judgment concluded.
Title: Sakshi Choudhary v Union of India & Anr.
