Bhubaneswar: Women from diverse backgrounds took to the streets on Sunday to protest against a restaurant that did not allow a women to use their toilet because she was not a customer.

Inder the leadership of social activist Linkan Subudhi, the protesters took out a rally demanding hotels and restaurants to let them use their washrooms in case of emergencies.

The protests took shape after a woman, Bijayinio Rana, shared her experience on Facebook.

"I had to catch a bus and needed to use the toilet before boarding it. I asked the staff members if I could use their washroom but the restaurant manager and the security guard said that they would not allow that because it was only meant for the customers," said Rana, a 34-year-old PR professional. Linkan is also planning to submit a memorandum to the district collector, Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India and the health secretary of the state government on this issue.

"Locating public toilets is impossible in our state. Sometimes, they are locked, at others, people are uncomfortable using them because of hygiene issues. Under such circumstances, if society does not co-operate, it become impossible for people to live," said Linkan.

She also said she had once been forced to rush into a hospital to use a toilet because the public toilet she went to use was locked. Under the Sarais Act, 1867 (Act No. 22 of 1867), it is the basic right for an individual to demand drinking water from any eatery. One also has the liberty to use the washroom at any point in the day and no one can deny any one the right. If necessary, the protesters said they would knock the doors of the Odisha State Commission for Women.

"If they approach us, we will definitely take action. We will take up the matter seriously and also send them a show-cause notice," said Lopamudra Baxipatra, chairman of the commission. "Such incidents needs to be addressed seriously."