Raghav Chadha Demands Legal Paternity Leave in India

On March 31, 2026, Raghav Chadha raised an important issue in Parliament — making paternity leave a legal right in India.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, the AAP leader said that fathers should not have to choose between their job and caring for their newborn child.

What he said ?

Chadha highlighted a simple but powerful point — when a baby is born, both parents are congratulated, but only the mother gets legal support to stay home.

He said:

• A father’s presence is not a luxury, but a necessity
• Mothers need emotional and physical support after childbirth
• Parenting should be a shared responsibility, not just the mother’s duty

Big Gap in Current Law

Right now, there is a clear difference in benefits:

• Government employees get 15 days of paid paternity leave
• In the private sector, there is no fixed rule — it depends on the company

Chadha pointed out that nearly 90% of India’s workforce has no guaranteed paternity leave.

Why It Matters

According to him, giving fathers legal leave will:

• Help mothers recover better
• Improve bonding between father and child
• Create a more balanced and productive workforce

He also compared India with countries like Sweden, Iceland, and Japan, where fathers get weeks or even months of leave.

Support from Supreme Court

This demand comes soon after the Supreme Court of India made a strong observation on March 17, 2026.

The court said paternity leave should be seen as a social security benefit, and that fathers being absent in early child care reinforces old gender roles.

What  Next?

The issue is now gaining attention at the national level. If the government takes action, India could soon see:

• A law mandating paternity leave
• Better support for families
• A shift toward equal parenting roles