Insensitive behaviour by a teacher towards a young adolescent girl during menstruation has triggered widespread public criticism, forcing the authorities to take action against the teacher. The issue surfaced in Chennai after the student’s father lodged a complaint with the police.
According to the police, On June 19, the student, who studies at a Greater Chennai Corporation Middle School in the Thiru. Vi. Ka. Nagar area, had been attending classes while menstruating. The teacher reportedly called the girl out of the classroom and questioned why she had come to school during her menstrual period. The teacher then told her to stand outside the classroom and not re-enter until classes were over. The student was also told not to sit on the floor.
The girl, who felt humiliated in front of her peers, remained standing outside the classroom until the school closed at around 4.10 pm.
A Chennai Corporation Education Department official told the media, “The student from the Gopalapuram school had been visiting the restroom frequently due to menstruation. Observing this, the teacher had asked her friend to assist her, and the latter did so. However, since boys were also in the class, the student refused to re-enter the classroom and chose to stay outside. The teacher attempted to contact the student’s family via mobile phone, but the parents arrived to pick her up only after school hours.”
Soon after reaching home, the girl shared the bitter experience she had undergone in the classroom. She told her father, Ajaz Ahmed, about the incident and broke down in tears. Ahmed came to the school and sought an explanation from the teacher. He was not satisfied with the response from the teacher and the school headmistress. Ajaz Ahmed subsequently filed a complaint with the Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar Police Station. Based on the complaint, the police registered a case against the teacher and commenced an investigation.
After the shocking incident went viral on social media, evoking strong condemnation, the Chennai Police registered a case against the government school teacher. The Chennai Corporation Education Department has decided to transfer the teacher and the headmaster of the school.
Corporation officials said, “We have conducted an inquiry with the concerned teacher and the headmaster. Based on the findings, we have decided to transfer them to another school.”
Tamil Nadu Education Minister Rajmohan said, “It is unacceptable to ask a girl to stand outside the classroom. We can’t entertain such regressive attitudes among teachers. I have asked the department to conduct an inquiry and submit a report in this regard. Based on that, appropriate action will be taken.”
ஏற்றுக்கொள்ளவே முடியாது…https://t.co/wupaoCzH82 | #Chennai #RajMohan #MenstrualHealth #WomenEmpowerment #tamilnadu #tamilnews #abpnadu pic.twitter.com/mpWIZ1FRJX
— ABP Nadu (@abpnadu) June 20, 2026
One of the netizens urged the government to suspend the teacher responsible for the incident.
Former BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan, in a statement, said, “At a time when women are achieving success and becoming empowered in all fields, it is unfortunate that some narrow-minded individuals are causing such distress to students and inflicting mental trauma on young girls. A question now arises as to whether the free sanitary napkin scheme is being effectively implemented in all schools across the state.”
