Published Apr 11, 2025 | 9:37 AM ⚊ Updated Apr 11, 2025 | 9:37 AM
The incident came to light after the girl’s mother recorded a video at the school.
Synopsis: A 13-year-old Dalit student in Tamil Nadu was allegedly made to sit outside her classroom to write an exam because she was menstruating. The incident, which occurred at a private school in Coimbatore district on 5 April, came to light after a video filmed by the girl’s mother went viral.
A 13-year-old Dalit student was allegedly forced to take her annual examination sitting outside the classroom at a private school in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore district because she was menstruating.
When the Class 8 student, who was experiencing her first period, arrived at Swamy Chidbhavanandha Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Senguttai Palayam on 5 April, the school administration allegedly denied her entry into the classroom and made her sit near the door to write the exam.
The incident came to light after the girl’s mother recorded a video at the school. The footage, which later went viral on social media, has sparked public outrage and renewed debate around menstrual stigma and caste-based discrimination in schools.
Coimbatore Assistant Superintendent of Police Shristi Singh said the school administration was informed about the student’s condition by her parents, who had asked for separate seating.
“The request for separate seating came from the student’s mother due to her concern about her daughter’s menstrual condition,” she said.
“However, the issue is not about the separation alone. While 25 other students were allowed to sit respectfully on the school stage to take their exam, this student was made to sit outside the classroom, which is clearly discriminatory. A full investigation is ongoing.”
On 10 April, District Education Officer (DEO) Gomathi visited the school with a team of officials. Following a preliminary inquiry, headmistress M Anandhi was suspended pending further investigation.
“We will be speaking with the student’s parents and her classmates to understand the full context,” DEO Gomathi said. “Further action will be taken depending on the outcome.”
Tamil Nadu’s School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi confirmed the inquiry and the suspension of the school principal in a statement posted on X.
“Oppression of children in any form cannot be tolerated,” he wrote. “Dear student, do not sit alone! We are here. We will be here.”
தனியார் பள்ளி மீது துறை ரீதியான விசாரணை மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்டது. பள்ளி முதல்வர் இடைநீக்கம் செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளார்.
குழந்தைகள் மீதான ஒடுக்குமுறை எவ்வகையாயினும் பொறுத்துக்கொள்ள முடியாது. அன்பு மாணவி தனியாக அமரவில்லை! நாங்கள் இருக்கிறோம். இருப்போம்.
— Anbil Mahesh (@Anbil_Mahesh) April 10, 2025
District officials said the inquiry would continue on 11 April, with further interviews and documentation. Disciplinary action may follow based on the findings.
Meanwhile, activists and educators have called on the state government to ensure school policies uphold the dignity and bodily autonomy of adolescent girls.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
