MDU Periods Case Reaches Supreme Court: Centre and Haryana Issued Notice Over Privacy Violation

The Supreme Court of India on Friday issued notices to the Centre, the Haryana government and other respondents in the Maharsi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak menstruation case, where women sanitation workers were allegedly asked to submit photographs of their private parts to prove they were on their periods.

A bench comprising Justice B V Nagarathna and Justice R Mahadevan described the incident as reflective of a “deeply disturbing mentality”. The court observed that if heavy work could not be performed due to the absence of workers, alternative arrangements should have been made instead of subjecting women to humiliation.

The notice was issued on a petition filed by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), which termed the episode a serious criminal matter requiring urgent judicial scrutiny. The court directed the Union government and the Haryana administration to file their responses. 

During the hearing, Haryana’s counsel informed the bench that a formal investigation had been initiated and action had been taken against two accused individuals and the then Assistant Registrar of the university. The court fixed the next hearing for December 15.

While referring to progressive practices, Justice Nagarathna pointed out that Karnataka has provisions for menstrual leave, adding that institutions should move towards compassionate policies rather than intrusive and degrading practices. 

The petition states that forcing women to undergo humiliating verification during menstruation violates their fundamental right to life, dignity, privacy and autonomy under Article 21 of the Constitution. It further emphasises that women workers, particularly those in the informal sector, are entitled to conditions of work that respect biological differences and provide humane accommodations.

The incident reportedly took place on October 26, just hours before a visit by the state Governor to the university campus. Three women sanitation workers alleged that despite informing supervisors about their ill health, they were forced to perform cleaning duties and were later asked to prove that they were menstruating. The supervisors allegedly acted on the directions of a senior administrative official.

An FIR has been registered under charges including sexual harassment, criminal intimidation and assault with intent to outrage modesty. Two supervisors have already been suspended by Maharshi Dayanand University, and an internal inquiry is underway.