The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Monday sought an explanation from the central and state governments over the lack of toilets which lead to open defecation in the country.
"We have sought reports from the secretary, union ministry of drinking water and sanitation and the chief secretaries of all states and union territories within four weeks on the issue of defecation in open and lack of toilets," said an NHRC official.
Citing a survey which said 30 percent of the women who defecated in the open were sexually assaulted, the commission expressed concern over the issue.
The notice followed suo motu cognizance of a media report quoting the 2011 census that more that 62 crore Indians, or half of the country's population, defecated in the open for want for toilets.
