A disturbing case of alleged caste- and gender-based discrimination has emerged from Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore district, where a Class 8 student belonging to the Arunthathiar (Scheduled Caste) community was reportedly forced to write her school examinations outside the classroom. The incident took place shortly after the girl had attained puberty, raising concerns about both menstruation stigma and caste bias in educational spaces.
The student, enrolled at Swamy Chidbhavanda Matric Higher Secondary School in Senguttaipalayam village near Kinathukadavu Taluk, was made to sit outside the classroom during her Science exam on April 7 and again for her Social Science paper on April 9. After the student informed her mother about the discrimination, the mother visited the school and recorded a video of her daughter sitting outside, separated from her peers. The footage quickly spread on social media, leading to public outrage and widespread condemnation.
Following the viral video, the student’s family approached education officials, and villagers in the area are expected to meet with the Pollachi sub-collector to demand accountability from the school management.
Coimbatore District Collector Pavankumar G Giriyappanavar confirmed that the Coimbatore rural police have initiated an investigation into the matter. The inspector of matriculation schools has been asked to submit a comprehensive report. “Stringent action will be taken against the school if found guilty,” said the Collector.
Dalit rights activists have decried the incident as a grave violation of the girl’s dignity, citing it as both a gender and caste atrocity. “This isn’t just about menstruation; it’s about systemic oppression. The school must be held accountable,” said one activist.
The Tamil Nadu education department is expected to issue a formal response after reviewing the findings of the inspection report. Meanwhile, the incident has reignited debates around entrenched societal prejudices and the urgent need for sensitisation in schools regarding both caste and menstrual health.
