Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
The School Principal denies the Strip Search happening.
The School Principal denies the Strip Search happening.
What is happening?
Indian police have arrested a school principal and an attendant following disturbing reports that several female students were forced to strip to prove they weren’t menstruating, BBC reports.
The alleged incident took place in a village near Mumbai and has sparked outrage among parents and rights activists.
10 to 15 Girls checked
Authorities were prompted to act after the mother of one of the affected girls filed a formal complaint.
She alleged that her daughter was among 10 to 15 students subjected to a humiliating inspection following the discovery of blood stains in a school toilet.
Parents Protest, Demand Justice
Angered by the incident, parents gathered at the school the day after the alleged strip-search, demanding strict punishment for those responsible
A video circulating online shows the principal clashing with parents, insisting that no such search took place.
Students Shamed in Public Assembly
According to police reports, girls from grades 5 to 10—aged roughly 10 to 16—were assembled in a hall where a teacher projected images of blood-stained walls.
Students were asked to raise their hands if they were menstruating, and handprints were collected from those who complied.
Girls Taken to Toilets, Forced to Undress
At least 10 to 15 girls who stated they were not menstruating were reportedly taken to the toilet and forced to strip for a physical check.
One mother said her daughter was yelled at for not wearing a sanitary pad despite not having her period, leaving the girl deeply ashamed.
Police Investigating Under Child Protection Laws
Senior police officials confirmed they are investigating the incident under laws relating to assault and the intent to outrage a woman’s modesty, as well as under the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.
Additional teachers and trustees are also under scrutiny.
Families Say Children Are Traumatised
Several parents told the BBC their daughters have been left emotionally scarred.
“Our girls are terrified. This isn’t just a school issue—it’s a serious question about child safety,” one father said, urging government intervention and accountability.
School Denies Allegations Despite Parental Testimonies
Despite multiple accounts from affected students and their parents, the school principal has denied ordering or allowing any strip-search.
When confronted by parents, school officials reportedly failed to explain how so many students could be making up similar stories.
Menstruation Shame Still Widespread in India
This incident highlights the enduring stigma around menstruation in parts of India, where women and girls are often excluded from religious, social, and even educational activities during their periods.
Not the First Case of Period Policing in Schools
This isn’t an isolated event. In 2017, 70 girls were stripped by a warden at a residential school in Uttar Pradesh.
In 2020, 68 college students in Gujarat were searched for failing to report their periods.
