In a powerful and much-needed move, the Supreme Court of India has stepped in to address a deeply disturbing practice happening across workplaces and educational institutions — the forced “period verification” of women and girls.
This issue has long existed in silence, but a recent incident from Haryana finally pushed it into the national spotlight, leading the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) to file a petition demanding strict, nationwide guidelines to protect women’s privacy and dignity.
What Triggered the Case?
The shocking incident came from Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak, where three female sanitation workers alleged they were forced to “prove” they were menstruating to justify leave or lighter work.
According to their complaint:
- They were pressured to send photographs of used sanitary pads as “proof.”
- They were subjected to humiliation, verbal abuse, and coercion until they complied.
- The entire process was degrading, invasive, and emotionally distressing.
This was not an isolated case. Reports of forced menstrual checks, intrusive questioning, and discriminatory rules have surfaced from various schools, hostels, religious institutions, and workplaces across the country.
The message behind such practices is the same everywhere:
Women must “prove” their menstruation — a completely private matter — to access basic dignity or relief.
What Did SCBA Ask the Court to Do?
The Supreme Court Bar Association, acting through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), urged the Court to intervene, arguing that:
- Forced period checks violate a woman’s Right to Privacy, Dignity, Bodily Integrity, and Personal Liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution.
- Such actions amount to institutionalized misogyny rooted in shame and stigma around menstruation.
- India urgently needs national, binding “Menstrual Dignity Guidelines” to stop such degrading practices in workplaces, schools, and institutions.
- There must be awareness programs, grievance mechanisms, and sensitive policies to prevent menstrual discrimination.
The petition also relied on previous Supreme Court judgments on privacy, dignity, and bodily autonomy — including K.S. Puttaswamy, Suchita Srivastava, and Vishaka.
How Did the Supreme Court Respond?
On 28 November 2025, a Bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and R. Mahadevan issued a notice to the Central Government and the State of Haryana.
The Court expressed:
- Deep concern over the incident
- Appreciation for SCBA for bringing the issue forward
- A preliminary view that forced menstrual verification is “absolutely unacceptable”
The Court also observed that if a woman is unable to perform heavy work due to her period, employers should simply assign the task to someone else — not demand proof.
The case is currently pending further hearing.
Why This Case Matters
This is more than a single workplace dispute — it is about how society treats women’s bodies.
Forced period checks are:
- Invasive
- Degrading
- Violative of personal dignity
- A breach of constitutional rights
If the Supreme Court ultimately lays down binding guidelines, it could:
- End humiliating period verification practices
- Protect millions of women in workplaces and institutions
- Dismantle menstrual stigma
- Establish menstrual dignity as a legal and human right in India
This case may become a landmark moment — one that pushes India closer to recognizing that menstruation is natural, private, and not a matter for institutional control or humiliation.
That’s a wrap for today. I’ll return next week with another judgment that could change the game!
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– Anupama
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Written by: Anupama Singh | Legal Blogger
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