Dalit women sanitation workers at Haryana’s MDU allege they were forced to prove menstruation; outrage grows as police and university launch probes.
New Delhi: A disturbing case of workplace humiliation has emerged from Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) in Rohtak, where three Dalit women sanitation workers have accused their male supervisors of forcing them to prove they were menstruating by photographing their sanitary pads. The incident, which took place on October 26, during preparations for Haryana Governor Ashim Kumar Ghosh’s campus visit, has triggered public outrage, campus protests, and multiple inquiries — but also raised serious questions about caste discrimination and menstrual stigma in India’s workplaces.
The three women, all in their 40s and employed through the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam Limited, said they were called in on their weekly off-day to clean the university’s sports complex before the Governor’s inspection. When they complained of menstrual pain and exhaustion, their supervisors — Vitender Kumar and Vinod Hooda — allegedly refused to believe them and instead demanded “proof” of menstruation.
According to the women, the men ordered them to go to a washroom and take photos of their blood-stained pads. One of the workers was told to assist using another colleague’s phone. Two women said they complied out of fear of losing their jobs, while others refused and were verbally abused and threatened.
“It broke our dignity,” one of the victims told reporters. “We clean the university every day, but that day, they destroyed our self-respect.”
Caste and Gender Bias
Activists say the women’s Dalit background made them even more vulnerable to such harassment.
Jagmati Sangwan, National Vice-President of the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), said, “It is easier to harass Dalit women because of their caste position. This case shows how caste and gender bias combine to dehumanize the most marginalized.”
University and Police Action
The university has suspended both supervisors and set up an internal inquiry committee headed by Professor Sapna Garg, who also leads MDU’s Internal Complaints Committee.
Registrar Krishan Kant said, “The university has zero tolerance for any act that violates a woman’s dignity. Those found guilty will not be spared.”
Police registered an FIR on October 30 at PGIMS police station under Sections 74, 79, 351(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against Kumar, Hooda, and Assistant Registrar Shyam Sundar. Sundar, however, has denied giving any such orders.
No arrests have been made yet. Shockingly, one police officer reportedly described the matter as a “ladies’ issue,” reflecting the deep discomfort around addressing menstrual rights.
Official and Political Reactions
The Haryana State Commission for Women (HSCW) took suo motu cognizance of the incident. Chairperson Renu Bhatia said, “There can be nothing more outrageous than asking a woman to prove she is menstruating,” and demanded a detailed report within five days from the Rohtak SP and MDU Vice-Chancellor.
Similarly, Haryana State Safai Karamchari Aayog Chairperson Krishan Kumar met the victims and promised a fair investigation.
On the political front, the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) President and former minister Rao Narender Singh called it “disgusting and inhuman,” demanding immediate action. The Indian Youth Congress condemned it as an attack on women’s dignity driven by “Manuvadi mentality.”
However, the BJP-led state government and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini have remained silent, drawing criticism from the opposition.
Campus and Social Reactions
The incident has shaken the university community, leading to protests by sanitation workers and employees demanding justice. Yet, many students reportedly reacted with indifference or mockery, with some sharing laughing emojis on leaked videos.
In Rohtak town, the issue is largely being spoken of in hushed tones — seen as a matter of “shame” rather than injustice.
On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), users expressed anger and solidarity, drawing parallels to the 2020 Gujarat college incident where 68 girls were forced to strip to check if they were menstruating.
For the Victims, the Trauma Isn’t Over Yet
The victims, who have worked at MDU for over a decade, continue to face mental distress due to repeated questioning, long inquiry sessions, and unwanted media attention. “We are exhausted,” one said. “Every time we speak, it feels like reliving the same pain.”
Women’s groups and Dalit rights organizations have demanded strict punishment, sensitivity training for officials, and stronger workplace protections for contractual and sanitation workers.
This case is not just about one university — it has become a symbol of how caste bias, menstrual taboo, and gender insensitivity still define workplace experiences for thousands of women across India.
As investigations continue, the question remains: Will Haryana act to restore dignity and justice — or will silence prevail again?
Young, daring, and always chasing the story.
Hi! I’m Mansi Sharma, 22, a fearless journalist who turns lifestyle, health, and political trends into bold, unforgettable narratives. I don’t just report — I make every story sizzle, spark, and stick.