MDU staff ‘force’ women to click photo of private parts as period proof, booked

“The FIR includes charges under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for sexual harassment, assault or use of criminal force with intent to disrobe and outrage a woman’s modesty, criminal intimidation, and acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman,” said the SHO.

The FIR was registered based on a complaint submitted by the sanitation workers, including the two who claimed that under pressure from the male supervisors, they went to the washroom and clicked photos of their private parts.

According to the workers, the incident occurred on October 26 while they were cleaning the university’s sports complex, just hours Haryana Governor Ashim Kumar Ghosh’s scheduled visit to the campus.

In a written complaint to the MDU registrar, four woman sanitation workers alleged that the supervisors allegedly harassed and pressured them to work faster, despite them clearly stating that they were unwell. “The male supervisors pressured us to work faster. We told them that we can’t work faster due to the pain from our monthly periods. The supervisors said: ‘You click photos of your private parts as proof so that the menstrual cycle can be confirmed’. When two of us refused to follow the instructions, we were abused and threatened with dismissal.”

The women claimed that the supervisors told them they were acting on the directions issued by assistant registrar Shyam Sundar. Two of the four sanitation workers claimed that, under duress, they complied and took the photos in the washroom.

While Shyam Sundar later denied giving any such instructions to the supervisors, Registrar Krishan Kant confirmed that they have received a complaint, “an internal inquiry has been initiated, and those found will guilty will not be spared”.

Sources said the two supervisors, hired through Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam Limited on contract, have been suspended.

Meanwhile, the incident triggered an outrage with sanitation workers staging a protest and confronting one of the accused. The protest also drew support from students, who gathered in solidarity. Haryana State Safai Karamchari Aayog chairperson Krishan Kumar met the sanitation workers and assured them of a fair investigation.

In a statement, the University said that any incident of insecurity at the workplace will not be tolerated under any circumstances. The university reiterated its commitment to “always providing a safe, respectful, and culturally sensitive” work environment. It said that “the safety and respect of women are paramount, and that the strictest action will be taken against any form of inappropriate behaviour or misconduct”.

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