Bhuj, Feb 14: In a horrifying incident, as many as 68 undergraduate girls were paraded through their college into the restroom and forced to individually remove their undergarments to prove that they were not menstruating.
This shameful exercise was conducted at Shri Sahjanand Girls’ Institute (SSGI) in Gujarat’s Bhuj under the supervision of principal and other teachers.
It all began after the hostel rector complained to the principal that some of the inmates had been violating the Hindu religious norms specifically for menstruating females.
According to the sect’s norms, menstruating females are barred from entering the temple and kitchen. They are even forbidden from touching other students. However, the hostel administration reportedly complained to principal Rita Raninga that some girls who were having their periods not just mingled with other hostel inmates, but also entered the kitchen and ventured near the temple on the premises.
“It was sheer mental torture and we don’t have words to describe it,” a student who underwent the traumatic experience said, adding that there were total 68 girls who were forced to pass through the test.
“The hostel administration levelled this allegation and insulted us on Wednesday. On Thursday, when we were attending lectures, rector Anjaliben called the principal and complained about this. We were forced to leave our classrooms and queue up outside in the passage. The principal abused and insulted us, asking which of us were having our periods. Two of us who were menstruating stepped aside,” said another victim.
“Despite this, we were all taken to the washroom. There, female teachers asked us to individually remove our undergarments so they could check if we were menstruating,” she added.
Another teenage undergraduate said, “We come from farflung villages. The college campus houses a school that runs classes from Class 1to 12. They provide hostel facilities to the school students. The college does not have its own hostel. We live with the school-kids in their hostel.”
She added, “The principal, hostel rector and the trustees harass us regularly over the issue of menstruation. We are punished for having periods. This happens even if we follow their religious rules. They made us remove our undergarments because they thought some of us were lying about not having periods, and mingling with the others against rules. But the humiliation meted out to us on Thursday was the last straw. When we protested against this, trustee Pravin Pindoria told us that we could take legal action if we wanted but we would have to first leave the hostel. He also forced the students to sign a letter saying nothing happened in college. But enough is enough.”
Kutch University authorities have, meanwhile, swung into action and a five-member team including in-charge vice-chancellor, Darshna Dholakia, and two other senior female professors visited the college on Thursday. “We will speak to the students and the college authority and later initiate appropriate action based on the findings,” Dholakia said.
Run by followers of Swaminarayan Mandir, the college was set up in 2012 but moved into a new building on the premises of Shree Swaminarayan Kanya Mandir in 2014. The college which offers BCom, BA and BSc courses has about 1,500 students of which 68, who come from remote villages, stay in the hostel on campus. The college is known for its pro-Hindutva stance.
Comments
As he is journalist, he might have some sense.
We Muslims have the guidance from our prophet (Peace be upon him) in all aspects of our life.
Kuffar of Makkah, Taif have hurted him, troubled, though suffering lots of troubles he has set example of not retaliating them. He has slowly convinced what is true message, what is truth in it.
As he is journalist, it is not difficult to convince him the message of Islam. Usually most of the journalists are brave and they remain strong with truth. He is also from Kodagu. Try to meet him and debate with him on Islam. If Allah bestows him Hidayat, he might understand true message of Islam and accept it. We have example of Omer Bin Khattab - may Allah pleased with him.
"Madiddunno maaraaya" gaade maathu tilidirabeku
still 80% majority dogs in forest think that 17% lion will kill them one day..he is scared now!!!LOL
dont hurt any religion, all are good but people who become manager of god are very vrey bad.
if you want to do money, do in good way not by spilling venom about other religion. even if road cleaning also, that you will earn respect in front of GOD.
Assure God faith peace loving people will never do such threats. This is pre-plan and this fellow was tapped in the net. Now facing life threat by his in house people. This is their HQ conspiracy to destabilize the las and order and innocent publics normal life. After their god fther recent city visit their groups noted leaders are now in full pledge with their criminal mind set. All peace loving Kannadiga including Mr.Thammaiah and his family has to be carefull.
Such criminl incidents will appear more and more till 2019 election.
If you are a true follower, Nobody can hurt religious sentiments. Unwanted issue. He should be released. and he need protection also
He should be punished properly. He hurt religious sentiments and some media supported to that. They hid real facts.
Fake. Media worked for him. Now he cooked up new story
Add new comment