Odisha Women Commission Directs To Allow Women To Board Buses As First Passengers

Bhubaneswar: In an important order to protect the dignity of women, the Odisha State Commission for Women (OSCW) has directed the Transport department to ensure that they are not prevented from boarding a bus as first passengers.

The Commission issued the order after hearing a petition filed by Ghasiram Panda, a social worker from Sonepur. Panda, in his petition, alleged that a woman faced discrimination as she was prevented from boarding a bus as a first passenger at Baramunda bus stand in Bhubaneswar.

The petitioner stated that the conductor of the bus did not allow the woman passenger to board on the ground that traditionally a male passenger must enter the vehicle first. Otherwise, it would prove a bad omen and the bus may face accident.

The OSCW observed that such incidents had come to its knowledge earlier. “Such incident should not be repeated in future as it causes inconveniences to women and violates their dignity. I request you to ensure that both government and private buses allow women as the first passenger,” said the Commission in its order to the Transport department.