Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Orders Strict Action Against Thane School Over Stripping Schoolgirls For Menstruation Check

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed authorities to take strict action against those involved in the reported incident of schoolgirls being forced to undress for menstruation checks at a private school in Thane district.

The issue was raised in the legislative assembly, where State Minister Girish Mahajan confirmed that the Chief Minister has called for an in-depth investigation into the matter. Mahajan assured that those found guilty will face severe consequences, as reported by the news agency PTI.

About Incident

An incident took place at a private school in Shahapur area of Maharashtra's Thane district on Tuesday, after bloodstains were discovered in the school’s toilet. Following the discovery, police reported that the school’s principal and a woman staff member were arrested in connection with the case, in which girl students were allegedly forced to strip for a menstruation check.

The matter triggered outrage among the parents, who gathered at the school on Wednesday to protest, demanding strict action against the school management and the teachers involved. According to an official from the Shahapur police station, the principal and a woman attendant who allegedly conducted the physical checks were arrested on Wednesday night.

A complaint filed by a parent stated that girls from classes 5 to 10 were called into the school’s convention hall, where images of bloodstains on the toilet and floor were projected and shown to them.

The students were then asked whether any of them were menstruating. Based on their responses, they were separated into two groups. Those who admitted to menstruating were asked to give their thumb impressions to the teachers. The others, who said they were not on their period, were taken individually to the toilet where the woman attendant allegedly examined their private parts, the complaint added.

Acting on the complaint, police registered a case on Wednesday against the school’s principal, four teachers, the female attendant, and two trustees.