Tamil Nadu: Menstruating Dalit Girl Forced To Write Exam Outside Classroom

The principal of a private school in Coimbatore was suspended after a menstruating Dalit student was allegedly forced to sit outside the classroom to write her examination. The incident took place in Senguttaipalayam near Pollachi. A now-viral video shows the class 8 girl's mother rushing to her to ask why she was sitting outside. The student tells her mother that it was the principal who made her sit outside reportedly because she was on her menstrual cycle. 

The student's father told The New Indian Express that she had attained menarche just the previous week. They requested that the school administration provide a separate desk and bench to help her comfortably sit for the exams. However, the school forced her to sit outside the classroom. "As she wrote the exam for two and a half hours on the steps, she felt significant leg pain and told us about this," the girl's father said.

On April 10, the school correspondent suspended the principal, M Anandhi, temporarily, stating that she acted against the Right to Education Act 2009. School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi posted a message on X after officers made a departmental inquiry into the incident. "The student is not alone. The government stands with her," the minister added.

Punished For Asking Basic Necessity: Similar Incident

An eleventh-grade student from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, was allegedly punished by the school principal for requesting a sanitary pad, officials said on January 26. The girl's father lodged a complaint, stating she had gone to school the previous day when she realised her period had started.

Upon requesting a pad from the principal, she was ordered to stand outside the classroom for nearly an hour. The girl's father has submitted written complaints to the District Magistrate, the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS), the State Women’s Commission, and the Department of Women's Welfare. DIOS Devki Nandan assured us that the matter was being investigated and appropriate action would be taken based on the findings. 

When will the menstrual stigma end?

In many South Asian countries, menstruation and sexual health are shrouded in taboos and misconceptions. School is supposed to be a place of empowerment and knowledge, yet, in many cases, like in Bareilly and Coimbatore, it is the mentors themselves who lack the sensitivity and understanding to address such a crucial topic. This incident highlights an urgent need for comprehensive menstrual education, not just for students but for educators as well.

There is a growing demand for a focus on menstrual hygiene and health awareness programs in schools. The stigma around menstruation can end when there is a collective effort to normalise conversations, enforce policies, and provide necessary resources at every level of society. Breaking the silence and misinformation surrounding menstruation starts with education for everyone: girls, boys, and adults.

Government's approach to menstruation and

Notably, according to the Union Ministry of Education, female students should be allowed to take necessary restroom breaks during exams, and free sanitary napkins must be made available at all examination centres. This advisory was issued in 2024, ahead of board exams.

The Ministry said, "Free sanitary pads to be readily available at all class 10 and 12 board examination centres, ensuring girls have access to essential hygiene products during exams if required. Female students are to be permitted to take necessary restroom breaks to address menstrual needs, alleviating discomfort and promoting focus during exams." The Ministry also said that menstrual educational programmes would be implemented for students and staff.

Personal views expressed by the author are their own.