Vishakha v. State of Rajasthan, also known as the “Vishakha Case,” was a landmark judgment of the Supreme Court of India that dealt with the issue of sexual harassment at the workplace. The case was heard in 1997 and was significant in that it established the principle that sexual harassment violates the right to equality and dignity of women and laid down guidelines for the prevention and redressal of such harassment in the workplace.

Vishakha, who was a social worker, had filed a writ petition challenging the State of Rajasthan’s failure to take action against the sexual harassment of women at the workplace. She argued that the state had a constitutional obligation to protect the rights of women and to ensure that they were not subjected to any form of discrimination or harassment.

The State of Rajasthan argued that it had taken all necessary steps to prevent and address sexual harassment at the workplace. However, the Supreme Court rejected this argument and held that the state had failed to fulfill its constitutional obligation to protect the rights of women.

The Court held that sexual harassment violates the right to equality and dignity of women, and that the state has a constitutional obligation to take steps to prevent and address such harassment. The Court also laid down guidelines for the prevention and redressal of sexual harassment at the workplace, which included the setting up of committees to investigate such complaints and the provision of a safe and secure working environment for women.

The judgment in the Vishakha Case was significant in that it established the principle that sexual harassment violates the rights of women and laid down the legal framework for the protection of these rights. It also established the role of the judiciary in upholding the principle of equality and dignity and protecting the rights of all citizens.

The Vishakha Case was a turning point in the history of India and had a far-reaching impact on the protection and promotion of the rights of women. It was a strong reaffirmation of the principle of equality and dignity and the fundamental rights of all individuals, and it laid the foundation for the struggle for gender justice and equality in India.

The Vishakha Case was also significant in that it marked the beginning of a new era in the legal and political history of India. It was the first major case that dealt with the issue of sexual harassment at the workplace, and it established the Supreme Court as an independent and impartial body that was responsible for the protection of the rights of all citizens.

The Vishakha Case was a landmark judgment that had a profound impact on the protection and promotion of the rights of women in India. It established the principle that sexual harassment violates the rights of women and laid the foundation for the struggle for gender justice and equality in India. The case is a testament to the strength and resilience of the Indian Constitution and the commitment of the judiciary to the protection of the fundamental rights of all citizens.