Raghav Chadha Demands Legal Paternity Leave, Calls Childcare a Shared Responsibility
AAP MP Raghav Chadha urges legal paternity leave in India.
Raghav Chadha, Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, has called for paternity leave to be recognised as a legal right in India, arguing that caregiving after childbirth should be a shared responsibility and not fall solely on mothers.
Speaking in Parliament, Chadha said, “When a child is born, both parents are congratulated. But caregiving responsibility falls on one: the mother. A father should not have to choose between caregiving for his newborn and keeping his job.” He emphasised that a father’s presence is crucial immediately after childbirth, both for the child and to support the mother.
Currently, India does not have a standard law mandating paternity leave in the private sector. While maternity leave is mandated under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, private employers set their own rules for fathers, resulting in wide disparities—from no leave to a few days only. Male government employees, by contrast, are entitled to 15 days of fully paid leave under the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972, which must be availed within six months of the child’s birth and applies to up to two surviving children.
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Chadha has repeatedly raised the issue in Parliament, highlighting the need for legislation that reflects caregiving as a shared responsibility. He also referenced earlier efforts, such as the 2017 Paternity Benefit Bill introduced by the late Congress MP Rajeev Satav, which proposed 15 days of leave extendable up to three months, including pre-birth leave, but never became law.
Chadha, known for championing citizen-centric issues, has previously advocated for reforms like daily data carry-forward, a “Right to Recall” for elected representatives, and affordable airport food. He reiterated that legislation for paternity leave would ensure fathers can actively participate in early childcare without compromising their careers, aligning legal frameworks with the principle that caregiving is a shared responsibility.
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