Outrage at Haryana University! Women workers asked to take photos of private parts to ‘prove menstruation’
Massive protests erupted at Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) in Haryana's Rohtak, after three women sanitation workers were allegedly compelled by their supervisors to remove their clothes and have their private parts photographed to “prove” they were menstruating, media reports said.
The shocking incident reportedly occurred on October 26, when the women were reprimanded by their supervisors for “working slowly.”
According to their complaint, when they explained that they were unwell due to their menstrual cycle, for which they had prior permission, the supervisors accused them of lying, said reports.
The women alleged that supervisors Vinod and Jitendra ordered another female employee to accompany them to the washroom and take photos of their sanitary pads as proof.
“They said, ‘click photos of your private parts so the menstrual cycle can be confirmed,’” the complaint, available with the media, reads.
When two of the women refused, they were allegedly abused and threatened with dismissal.
Under pressure, two of the workers reportedly complied. They further claimed that the supervisors acted “on the instructions of Assistant Registrar Shyam Sundar.”
As news of the incident spread, student unions and staff gathered on campus to protest, demanding immediate suspension of the accused officials.
The demonstration was brought under control only after senior faculty member Dr. Bhagat Singh assured protesters of a thorough inquiry and strict punishment.
MDU Registrar K.K. Gupta confirmed that one supervisor had been suspended “with immediate effect” pending disciplinary proceedings. “Whoever is found guilty will not be spared. If required, a case will also be registered under the SC/ST Act,” he said.
An FIR has been filed against the two supervisors under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sexual harassment, assault or use of criminal force with intent to disrobe, criminal intimidation, and acts intended to outrage a woman’s modesty, according to Station House Officer Roshan Lal of the PGIMS police station.
In an official statement, the university reiterated its commitment to a safe and respectful workplace:
“Any incident compromising the security and dignity of women will not be tolerated under any circumstances. The strictest action will be taken against any form of inappropriate behaviour or misconduct.”
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