A Dalit student in Tamil Nadu was forced to take her exams in isolation after being told she could not sit with her classmates due to her menstruation. The incident, which highlights the continued caste and gender-based discrimination in schools, has prompted calls for an overhaul of educational policies to protect the rights of Dalit and female students.
The student was informed by her teacher that she would not be allowed to sit in the classroom with the others during her exams because of her menstrual status. The teacher reportedly cited cultural norms that view menstruating women as impure, particularly those from Dalit and lower-caste backgrounds. This act of exclusion is not only humiliating but also violates the principles of equality and non-discrimination that should be at the core of any educational institution.
This event brings into sharp focus the intersection of caste and gender discrimination that Dalit girls face in India. While caste-based segregation is a known issue in many areas, the added burden of gender-based taboos makes the situation even more difficult for Dalit girls. The compounded oppression faced by these students often leads to low educational attainment, limited opportunities, and a lifetime of inequality.
Activists have raised alarms over the persistence of such practices and have called on the Tamil Nadu government to take immediate action. The incident has also sparked broader discussions about the need to reform the education system to ensure that it is free from caste and gender-based discrimination. Educational spaces must be inclusive, supportive, and free from the social stigmas that prevent marginalized students from accessing quality education.
