A school principal and staff attendant have been arrested in Maharashtra, India, following allegations that several schoolgirls were forcibly checked to see if they were menstruating.
The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday at an all-girls school near Mumbai.
According to a police complaint filed by a parent, 10 to 15 girls between the ages of 10 and 16 were allegedly forced to undergo inspections after blood stains were found in a school bathroom.
Parents say the students were shown photos of the stains and asked to identify if they were menstruating.
Those who said they were not were reportedly taken to the restroom and subjected to physical checks by staff.
One mother said her daughter was humiliated and scolded for not wearing a sanitary pad, despite not having her period. “She felt ashamed and deeply distressed,” the parent said.
The principal, seen in a video arguing with concerned parents, has denied that any strip-search took place.
However, public outrage has continued to grow, with protests outside the school demanding strict action.
Police have registered charges under sections of the Indian Penal Code related to assault and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which provides special protections for minors.
Four other teachers and two trustees have also been named in the complaint.
The school has not released an official statement.
This case has reignited national conversations about the stigma surrounding menstruation in India.
In previous incidents, students have been subjected to searches or discriminatory rules during their periods, such as being barred from temples or made to sit separately in class.
Activists and parents say the incident reflects a deeper issue of period shame and lack of education in schools. “This is a gross violation of our daughters’ rights and dignity,” one parent said.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing.