College Students Protest After Being Stripped N*ked For Menstruation Checks
Scores of enraged Indian students packed outside their college in protest for being coerced to strip by the management — which was bent on determining if there were menstruating.
Reports show they were forced to undress following the discovery of a used sanitary napkin in a garden outside the Sahjanand Girls Institute, where they were banned from visiting whenever their menstruation is on.
“There are no words to describe the humiliation that we faced,” said one of the students protesting outside the college in Bhuj, in the western state of Gujarat.
Deep-rooted social taboos remain in India around menstruating women. In some rural areas, women are made to sleep separately during periods. They are banned from entering some temples.
College authorities lined up 68 students in the washroom and ordered them to undress one by one, the students told reporters.
The college is run by the conservative Hindu sect Swaminarayan. The sect runs lavish temples around the world, including in London.
Its rules bar students from staying in the hostel during their periods.
They also have to sit at the back of the classroom during lectures.
The college said it had set up an inquiry and indicated action could be taken against the staff behind the checks.
College trustee Pravin Pindoria said: “The girls were informed about the hostel rules before they took admission.
“I have called a meeting of the administrative committee which will take action against the responsible persons.”
