Gujarat College Compels 68 Girls to Remove Undergarments to Prove They Were Not Menstruating

Ahmedabad, February 14, 2020:

A College in Gujarat which claims of providing “quality education of global standards” has allegedly compelled 68 girls to remove their undergarments to prove that they were not menstruating and violating “religious norms”.

Shri Sahajanand Girls’ Institute (SSGI) in Gujarat’s Bhuj has drawn the ire of the people after reports of a bizarre incident in today’s “modern” times came to light.

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According to reports, the 68 girl students were paraded from the college to the hostel restroom, after the warden accused them of venturing into the temple on the college premises and touching fellow students. At the washroom, every girl was asked to prove she was not menstruating, said the report.

Dev Desai, a social activist from Gujarat, said, "This is a natural process. Women's psychology is greatly impacted when it is associated with religion and other things. This practice will spread gradually if this is not stopped. Strict action should be taken against the authorities. The Women Commission in the centre and state should immediately take action against the case."

The college is affiliated to the Krantiguru Shyamji Krishna Verma Kachchh University. It is managed by Swaminarayan Dwisatabdi Medical & Charitable Trust. SSGI offers programmes such as BCom, BA, BSc, and has enrolled over 1,500 students.

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As per Swaminarayan sect’s norms, girls, when menstruating, cannot enter a temple or kitchen. At the institute, girls are reportedly also barred from touching other students during those days.

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