How Did the Maha Assembly React to Menstruation Checks for Girls in Thane?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Maharashtra government vows to take strict action against those involved in the incident.
- Strong condemnation from opposition leaders emphasizes the need for accountability.
- Calls for improvements in menstrual hygiene facilities in schools.
- Incident raises awareness of gender sensitivity in education.
- Public outrage calls for systemic reforms.
Mumbai, July 10 (NationPress) The Maharashtra government has pledged to take decisive action regarding the alarming incident where schoolgirls were subjected to humiliating menstruation checks at a school in Thane district. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered rigorous measures against all parties involved, including the principal and other staff members.
This commitment follows remarks from Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan in the Legislative Assembly, asserting that the government is addressing this issue with the highest level of seriousness. His comments came amidst fierce condemnation from opposition members, including Congress MLAs Nana Patole and Jyoti Gaikwad, and NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad, who insisted on immediate accountability.
Patole described the incident as disgraceful, stating that such actions have no place in a forward-thinking state like Maharashtra. Awhad called for the arrest of the principal, while Gaikwad urged for accountability among school staff and better menstrual hygiene facilities in schools, advocating for access to clean water and sanitary napkin vending machines.
Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar also voiced his serious concern, indicating that the government must take action against those responsible and provide a comprehensive report in the Assembly.
The government's response follows the arrest of the principal and a female attendant from the Thane school on Wednesday. Four teachers and two trustees have also been charged under various sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, stemming from allegations that approximately ten girls were compelled to undress for a menstrual examination after bloodstains were discovered in a school restroom.
According to police, after noticing the stains on Tuesday, school officials called girls from Classes 5 to 10 to a convention hall where they displayed images of the stained restroom tiles and asked the students to identify those who were menstruating.
Police sources report that students who raised their hands were required to provide thumb impressions, while others were taken to washrooms where they were allegedly stripped and physically examined by attendants. One of the complainants revealed that the principal confronted her daughter, accusing her of dishonesty regarding her period, and forcibly obtained her thumb impression.
The incident came to public attention after shocked students recounted their experiences to their parents, leading to protests by guardians and rapid police intervention. The arrested principal and attendant were set to appear before a local court on Thursday.
This case has ignited widespread outrage across the state, with child rights advocates and political figures condemning the incident and calling for systemic reforms in menstrual health education and gender sensitivity within schools.