Air India v Naresh Meerza is a landmark case in the Indian feminist jurisprudence. It marked a vital step towards accomplishing gender equality in the workplace and paved the way for further challenges against discriminatory practices. The case points up the significance of promoting gender-sensitive laws and policies. It also underlines the ongoing struggle for rights of women and the institutional barriers that impede women’s full participation in the workforce. Moreover, the judgement reinforces the judiciary’s role in upholding the principles of equality and justice for all members of society, regardless of gender. The case sparked widespread debate and brought to the forefront the intersectionality of gender, marriage, and employment rights in India. It challenged the deep-rooted patriarchal structures within the aviation industry and the broader societal norms that limited women’s opportunities for advancement.
| Citation | 1981 AIR 1829, 1981 (4) SCC 335 |
| Name of the Court which decided the case | Supreme Court of India |
| Bench | Syed Murtaza Fazalali, A. Varadarajan, A.P. Sen |
| Legislations | Constitution of India, Air Corporation Act, 1953, Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 |