TN Dalit girl discriminated during periods, mother joins platform for menstrual justice
In a deeply disturbing case of caste and gender-based discrimination, a minor Arundhathiyar girl from Sengutta Palayam, Pollachi (Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu) was subjected to brutal untouchability practices at her school—Swami Chitpavananda Metric Higher Secondary School—on the day she got her first period. The act, reminiscent of both menstrual taboos and caste-based segregation, has ignited widespread anger and calls for justice.
What Happened?
The girl was barred from sitting inside her classroom during an exam simply because she had started her first menstrual cycle. On the instruction of the principal and school manager, she was made to sit on the steps among the footwear area outside the school building. The reason? The authorities claimed she could “infect” other students.
The child sat in discomfort for over two hours to complete her Social Science paper. When her mother found out, she took a video of the incident and immediately confronted the school authorities. Despite having notified the teachers about her daughter’s condition beforehand, the school ignored every plea for humane treatment.
Legal Action and Evasion
Following the confrontation, the family filed an FIR under the SC/ST Atrocities Act and Untouchability Prohibition Act. But the school officials—principal, manager, and correspondent—absconded. Despite public outrage and support from the Arundhathiyar Advocate Forum, no immediate arrests were made.
The girl’s parents, despite being empowered and informed about the law, faced threats and intimidation. They repeatedly requested police protection, but none was granted.
Conditional Bail Granted
Eventually, on 19th of the month, the three accused surrendered before the magistrate. In a disappointing turn, all were granted conditional bail:
- The principal, a widow, was deemed unlikely to flee.
- The manager, a mother of two daughters, was also shown leniency.
- The correspondent, an 80-year-old man with health issues, received the same.
No protection has yet been offered to the victim or her family—even as powerful perpetrators walk free.
A System That Protects the Powerful
Despite the SC/ST Atrocities Act being a non-bailable offence, the court’s language and tone clearly leaned in favor of the accused. The judgment repeatedly emphasized their social and personal standing rather than the gravity of their offence.
It’s a stark example of how caste and patriarchal institutions often work hand in hand to suppress justice for the marginalised. The mother’s statement was both heartbreaking and powerful: “The fact that these people are forced to go into hiding is punishment enough for them. They’ve been shamed.”
Resistance and Resilience
The family has now aligned with the Feminist Platform for Menstrual Justice under Safai Karmachari Andolan. Their home now displays posters about menstrual justice, and they are distributing the Delhi Declaration on Menstrual Justice to all who visit.
