Thane |
A school in Shahapur is under severe criticism after shocking allegations surfaced that girl students from classes 6 to 10 were stripped and examined to identify who was menstruating, following the discovery of a blood stain in a school toilet.
The incident reportedly took place at R.S. Damania School, where, according to parents, teachers removed the clothes of multiple girl students in an attempt to “investigate” the source of the stain. What has caused further alarm is the allegation that fingerprints were taken from the girls as part of this humiliating process—allegedly on the instructions of the school principal.
“This is not discipline; this is trauma”
Outraged parents staged protests outside the local police station, calling the school’s actions a gross violation of the girls’ dignity, privacy, and human rights. They demanded immediate suspension of the principal, legal action against school authorities, and even cancellation of the school’s license.
“This is not how you discipline children. This is how you scar them for life,” said one parent during the protest.
A Question of Menstrual Awareness and Sensitivity
The incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for menstrual awareness and gender sensitivity in Indian schools. Activists and educators argue that rather than shaming students, schools must build safe environments where menstruation is treated with normalcy and respect.
“A girl should never have to feel ashamed or afraid because of a natural biological process,” said a local activist. “What happened here will stay with those girls for years.”
Police Response and Ongoing Inquiry
Police have taken note of the matter, and an inquiry into the conduct of school authorities has begun. While no official statement has been made by the school so far, the pressure continues to mount.
A Wake-Up Call for All Schools
As Shahapur comes to terms with this disturbing episode, the wider question remains: Are our schools equipped to handle puberty-related issues with sensitivity and empathy? Experts emphasize that this isn’t an isolated incident—it reflects a systemic failure to address menstrual health in Indian education.
This incident demands more than just accountability. It calls for urgent reforms, compulsory gender-sensitivity training, and a strong legal precedent to ensure no student ever faces such humiliation again.
