Jalgaon, Maharashtra 10 July : A shocking incident has taken place at a government-aided residential school in Jalgaon district, Maharashtra. Around 40 young schoolgirls were reportedly forced to take off their clothes so that teachers could check who among them was on their period. This happened after blood stains were found on the floor of the hostel.

The girls, aged between 10 and 14, were asked by female staff to undress one by one. The school staff said they wanted to find out who had not properly managed their menstrual hygiene. However, the method used has caused public anger and sadness.

Parents of the students are furious. One mother said, “My daughter came home crying. How can a school do this to children?” Many parents are now demanding action against the school.

Child rights activists and government officials have strongly condemned the incident. The Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) has taken the matter seriously and sent a notice to the school. An official said, “This is not just wrong—it may even be a crime under child protection laws.”

The police are now investigating. They are talking to students, teachers, and school staff to understand what happened. No arrests have been made yet, but officers say action will be taken soon.

This incident also shows how little awareness there still is about menstruation in some parts of India. Experts say that even today, periods are treated as something shameful in many schools. This leads to poor treatment of girls and even causes many to drop out of school.

Ritu Sharma, a women’s rights activist, said, “This is not just about one school. This is about the way we treat periods in our society. If girls are made to feel ashamed, they will stop coming to school.”

People on social media are also reacting strongly. Many are using hashtags like #PeriodShaming and #JusticeForJalgaonGirls to express their anger. Celebrities and politicians have also spoken out against the school’s actions.

The state education department has promised to look into the case fully. A top official said, “This kind of behavior will not be accepted. We will send new rules to all schools to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

While the investigation is ongoing, what hurts most is the trauma these young girls have faced. School should be a safe and caring place, but for these students, it became a place of fear and embarrassment.