In a deeply disturbing incident at Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak, Haryana, female sanitation workers were allegedly forced by their male supervisors to provide photographic proof of their menstruation.
The incident occurred on October 26, 2025, coinciding with a weekend duty called due to the scheduled visit of Haryana Governor Asim Kumar Ghosh. When several women requested leave citing menstrual discomfort, the supervisors not only denied the leave but also demanded evidence.
Reportedly, the supervisors asked the women to send photos of their used sanitary pads as “proof” and, in some cases, instructed them to remove their clothes in front of others to verify the claim. Some supervisors even made other female workers check the sanitary pads and took photographs, which amounts to gross violation of privacy and dignity.
University and Police Action
Following the public uproar, MDU took swift action by suspending two sanitation supervisors suspended the two supervisors, who were accused of perpetrating the harassment. The university’s top officials, including Registrar Krishan Kant Gupta and Vice-Chancellor Rajveer Singh, personally met the affected workers and assured them of a thorough investigation. The university has also formed an internal inquiry committee and forwarded the matter to local police authorities.
The police registered a First Information Report (FIR) covering sections related to sexual harassment and criminal intimidation against the accused supervisors. The Haryana Women’s Commission took suo motu cognisance, with Chairperson Renu Bhatia condemning the act as “outrageous” and calling for immediate and strict action against those responsible. The commission has sought detailed reports from the police and university administration and reached out to the affected workers to provide support and ensure their safety.
University officials also denied any direct orders from senior authorities regarding the demand for proof, with an assistant registrar named Shyam Sundar denying involvement, stating he never instructed the supervisors to make such humiliating demands.
Contract Labour and Women’s Rights
This incident has highlighted systemic problems faced by women sanitation workers employed under contract labour in public institutions across India. Often relegated to vulnerable positions with little job security and protection, these workers frequently face exploitation and rights violations. Menstrual leave, a recognised entitlement in some states, is routinely denied or stigmatized, forcing women to hide their needs or face indignities.
Experts and activists argue that such incidents reveal ingrained gender bias and lack of oversight in outsourced labour management. The callous treatment at MDU reflects a broader failure to uphold dignity and human rights in workplaces, especially for marginalised women. The incident has revived demands for better grievance redressal, sensitisation of supervisors, and policy reforms to protect women’s health rights in all sectors.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The demand for invasive proof of menstruation is an unacceptable breach of privacy and an insult to the dignity of women workers. The Logical Indian stands firmly against such discriminatory practices that reinforce patriarchal control and workplace harassment.
Every institution must cultivate respect, empathy, and fairness for all employees, particularly those vulnerable due to their gender and socioeconomic status. This incident is a wake-up call to strengthen safeguards and accountability mechanisms to prevent such abuses.
