Take Photo Of Private Parts To Prove Period, Haryana College Staff Told

Protests broke out at Maharshi Dayanand University in Haryana's Rohtak after three sanitation workers were allegedly forced by their supervisors to undress themselves and get their private parts photographed to prove that they were menstruating.

The alleged incident on October 26 took place after the women were found working at a slow pace by their supervisors.

In a statement, varsity Registrar K K Gupta said one of the supervisors has "been placed under suspension with immediate effect with prejudice to the pending disciplinary proceedings against him".

"We will investigate the entire incident. Whoever is found guilty will not be spared. If required, a case will also be registered against the accused officers under the SC/ST Act," he later told reporters. 

According to the women, the trouble began when their supervisors - Vinod and Vitendra - pulled them up for taking the leaves. When the staffers said they were on their periods and feeling unwell, and were already granted permission by the other seniors, the two supervisors accused them of lying. They asked the women to remove their clothes to prove that they were menstruating.

The women staffers said Vinod and Jitendra subsequently directed another female employee to take them to the washroom and click photos of their sanitary pads to prove they were menstruating. 

"They said you click photos of your private parts as proof so that the menstrual cycle can be confirmed," the women said in their complaint. "When two of us refused to follow the instructions, we were abused and threatened with dismissal." 

"Under pressure, two women went to the washroom and provided the photos. When we asked them why they were acting this way, they said they were following the orders of Assistant Registrar Shyam Sundar," they added. 

As news of the shocking incident spread and the supervisors were shown the photos, the remaining women staff and students, including student organisations, staged a protest. They also shared photos and videos of the incident with the chairperson of the State Women Commission. 

It was not until a professor reached the spot that the matter was brought under control. Dr Bhagat Singh assured the protesters of a thorough probe in the case and action against the accused. "If the investigation reveals any wrongdoing, they would be immediately dismissed from their jobs," he said.

"A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against the two supervisors. The FIR includes charges under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for sexual harassment, assault or use of criminal force with intent to disrobe and outrage a woman's modesty, criminal intimidation, and acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman," Station House Officer at PGIMS police station Roshan Lal was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

In a statement, the university said any incident of insecurity at the workplace will not be tolerated under any circumstances. It reiterated its commitment to "always providing a safe, respectful, and culturally sensitive" work environment. "The safety and respect of women are paramount, and that the strictest action will be taken against any form of inappropriate behaviour or misconduct," it said, according to The Indian Express.

(With inputs from Harsh Vardhan)