Haryana University female staff asked to remove clothes to 'prove' menstruation by male supervisors

(AI image)

A few women sanitation workers at Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak, Haryana, were allegedly asked by their male supervisors to remove their clothes and demanded proof that they were menstruating.

The incident took place on October 26 when Haryana Governor Asim Kumar Ghosh was on a three visit to the campus. On the same day, a few female sanitation workers arrived late for duty. When questioned by their supervisors — identified as Vinod Kumar and Vitender Kumar — the women explained they had been delayed due to “women’s illness", referring to menstruation, News18 reported.

However, instead of accepting their explanation, the supervisors allegedly accused the workers of lying and demanded proof.

According to the victims, the men instructed one of the women to remove her clothes and even ordered another female worker to check their sanitary pads. In some instances, the supervisors allegedly took photos of the sanitary pads as “evidence", News18 reported.

The women, enraged and humiliated, began shouting in protest. Soon, others gathered at the scene. Registrar Dr Krishnakant Gupta and Vice-Chancellor Prof Rajveer Singh reached the spot and spoke with the women.

The administration immediately suspended both supervisors and ordered that they remain in Rohtak until the inquiry concludes. Police were later called and took the accused for questioning.

The Haryana Women’s Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of the case. Commission Chairperson Renu Bhatia condemned the act in strong words, saying, “There can be nothing more outrageous than asking a woman to prove her menstrual cycle."