Tamil Nadu: In a troubling incident in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore district, a 14-year-old girl was forced to take her exams alone outside of her classroom during her menstrual period. Belonging to the Arunthathiyar community, the eighth-grade student attended Swamy Chidbhavanda Matric Higher Secondary School in Senguttaipalayam village located in the Kinathukadavu Taluk. On April 5th, 2025, she started having periods. The principal then told her to sit outside and finish her papers for her Science and Social Studies tests on April 7 and 9, respectively.
After learning of the incident, the girl's mother quickly took her phone recording to the school. The video she captured shows her confronting school authorities and questioning the principal's decision to isolate her daughter during such a sensitive time. In the footage, visibly upset, the student confirms it was the principal who told her to sit alone outside.
Both activists and the local villagers are outraged by the controversy. Due to the alleged prejudice, some community members plan to approach the Pollachi sub-collector and demand severe action against the school administration. Dalit activists have also expressed their concerns, highlighting the need for educational institutions to provide proper care and education about menstruation.
In response to widespread public dismay, Coimbatore District Collector Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar said that the Coimbatore rural police had initiated a probe into the matter. Based on the evidence uncovered by the investigation, it is anticipated that the appropriate authorities will take suitable action, as per Times of India reports.
Furthermore, this reprehensible incident spotlights how crucial it is for schools to foster a warm and caring environment, particularly concerning normal bodily processes. It is of utmost importance that students experience dignity and courtesy during ordinary events of this nature, as both their academic performance and overall well-being hinge on feeling accepted without stigma. Ensuring this requires eternal vigilance and a commitment to education with empathy above all else.
