Exclusion of Dalit Student During Exams Over Menstruation Highlights Persistent Caste and Gender Bias in Tamil Nadu Schools

A disturbing instance of caste and gender discrimination has surfaced in Tamil Nadu, where a Dalit student was subjected to isolation during her final exams due to her menstruation. This incident, in which the young girl was forced to sit outside the exam hall, has reignited debates about the entrenched caste-based biases that persist within India’s educational system.

The student, who hails from a Dalit family, was instructed by a teacher that she could not take her exams in the classroom due to her menstruation. The teacher’s justification was based on deeply ingrained caste and gender norms that associate menstruating women with impurity, and as such, should be excluded from group activities. This discriminatory practice not only embarrassed the student but also deprived her of her right to an equal education.

Dalit rights activists have strongly condemned the school’s actions, calling them a violation of the principles of equality and non-discrimination enshrined in the Indian Constitution. They argue that such incidents highlight the urgent need for reforms in both the education system and society at large. Addressing caste-based discrimination in schools is not only essential for creating an inclusive educational environment but also for empowering marginalized communities.

Women’s rights groups have also highlighted the intersectionality of caste and gender in this case, noting that Dalit girls and women face a unique form of discrimination that limits their access to education, healthcare, and opportunities. The issue of menstruation, often seen as a natural biological process, has been weaponized to further marginalize these young girls.