India, March 13 -- The Supreme Court on Friday declined to entertain a public interest litigation seeking a nationwide policy mandating menstrual leave for women students and employees, observing that such a move could inadvertently harm women's employment prospects and reinforce gender stereotypes.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said making menstrual leave mandatory through legislation might discourage employers from hiring women.

"Nobody will hire them if such provisions are made compulsory. These pleas can unintentionally create fear and reinforce stereotypes that menstruation makes women inferior," the bench observed during the hearing.

However, the court said the competent authorities could...