Dalit group condemns violation of women sanitation workers’ dignity at MDU, Rohtak

By A Representative

The Dalit Adivasi Shakti Adhikar Manch (DASAM) has strongly condemned what it described as a “dehumanising and horrific” incident at Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak, Haryana, involving the harassment and humiliation of women sanitation workers on October 26, 2025. According to the group, the women, employed on a contractual basis and largely from Dalit communities, were allegedly coerced and subjected to gross indignities by university officials while cleaning the sports complex ahead of a scheduled visit by the Haryana Governor.

The workers reportedly informed their supervisors that they were unwell and in pain due to menstruation but were allegedly pressured to continue working and threatened with dismissal when they resisted. In a shocking development, they were allegedly ordered to provide photographic “proof” of menstruation, violating their dignity, bodily autonomy, and privacy. Two of the women reportedly complied under duress.

DASAM termed the incident a grave case of sexual harassment, caste-based violence, and abuse of authority, exposing the systemic oppression that continues to affect Dalit women in India’s informal and contractual labour sectors. The organisation noted that such acts reflect entrenched caste and gender hierarchies that perpetuate exploitation and indignity.

An FIR has reportedly been registered against the accused under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for sexual harassment, assault, and intimidation. DASAM, while welcoming this step, insisted that mere suspension of the officials was insufficient and demanded a transparent, independent, and time-bound inquiry. It also called for strong institutional reforms to ensure accountability and prevent recurrence.

The group emphasised that the incident represents institutional complicity, not just individual misconduct, and mirrors a broader culture where Dalit women sanitation workers across universities, municipalities, and public institutions face daily indignities, wage theft, and casteist treatment without adequate protection or grievance redressal.

DASAM underlined that the acts committed at MDU constitute criminal offences and violate several constitutional rights, including equality before the law, protection against discrimination, abolition of untouchability, and the right to live with dignity and privacy. It noted that the incident also breaches multiple statutory provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act (POSH Act), and the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act.

Calling the episode a manifestation of the “triple oppression of caste, gender, and labour exploitation,” DASAM urged the Haryana government, the National Commission for Women, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, and the University Grants Commission to intervene and ensure justice for the victims. The organisation demanded the immediate dismissal and prosecution of all responsible officials, a court-monitored investigation, and protection for the survivors from retaliation or job loss. It also called for trauma counselling, psychological support, and adequate compensation.

DASAM further sought the establishment of a fully functional Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) at MDU with representation from women sanitation workers, Dalit rights advocates, and independent observers. It urged all universities and government institutions in Haryana to introduce menstrual leave policies that safeguard women’s privacy and prohibit intrusive verification, alongside mandatory caste and gender sensitisation training for staff.

Beyond this incident, the group demanded the regularisation of sanitation workers with permanent status, fair wages, and safe working conditions, in line with existing labour laws. It also proposed a state-wide audit of workplace conditions, an independent oversight mechanism to monitor implementation of the SC/ST and POSH Acts, and stronger whistleblower protections.

DASAM asserted that justice must go beyond filing FIRs or punitive actions and must address structural and institutional failures that enable such degradation. It praised the women of MDU for their courage in speaking out and said their ordeal should lead to transformative reforms, not token gestures.

“The right to equality and dignity is not negotiable; it is the cornerstone of democracy,” the statement declared, urging the state, judiciary, and society to uphold their constitutional and moral duty to ensure justice and systemic change.

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