SCBA moves Supreme Court over violations of menstrual dignity; seeks national guidelines to protect women’s privacy

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has moved the Supreme Court seeking urgent judicial intervention against what it calls a “rampant violation of dignity, privacy and bodily autonomy” of women and girls in institutional settings across the country..The petition highlights a recent incident at Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, where three female sanitation workers were allegedly compelled to send photographs of their sanitary pads to prove that they were menstruating.Filed through Advocate-on-Record Pragya Baghel, the plea states that the workers at the University were called to duty on a Sunday due to a gubernatorial visit - despite being unwell - and were “verbally abused, humiliated and pressured” until they took the photographs..The SCBA also refers to several other news reports highlighting "period shaming" of menstruating women in educational institutions and government offices.The petition lists multiple examples, including a 2017 case in Uttar Pradesh where 70 girls were stripped naked to check for menstrual blood; a 2020 case in Gujarat where students were forced to remove their underwear for inspection; and a July 2025 case in Maharashtra where girls were allegedly made to undergo physical checks after a principal screened photographs of bloodstains..It states,"...these incidents of women and girls being subjected to invasive and degrading checks in various institutional settings to check whether they are menstruating is in gross violation of their right to life, dignity, privacy and bodily integrity under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. Women workers, especially unorganised workers, have a right to decent working conditions which respect their biological differences and make room for adequate concessions such that they are not subject to humiliating checks when they are suffering from menstruation-related pain and discomfort.".Citing constitutional precedents, the petition refers to KS Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017), where bodily privacy was recognised as integral to Article 21; Suchita Srivastava v. Chandigarh Administration (2009), which affirmed reproductive autonomy as part of personal liberty; and Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan (1997) which upheld a woman’s right to a safe workplace. It also refers to the RG Kar Medical College & Hospital rape and murder case, where the Court underscored the importance of safe work conditions in ensuring equality of opportunity..In its prayers, the SCBA has sought directions to the Central government and the State of Haryana to conduct a detailed inquiry into the Rohtak incident. Also prayed for is the issuance of nationwide guidelines ensuring that women’s right to health, dignity, privacy and bodily autonomy are protected at workplaces and educational institutions..Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.