Speak up Mumbai | Virginity tests of brides: Regressive but prevalent

On January 21, three men from the Kanjarbhat community, attending a wedding in Pune, were thrashed by a mob of 40 people — members of their own community — for standing up against the community’s age-old practice of determining a bride’s virginity on the wedding night.

The three men are part of a WhatsApp group called ‘Stop the V-Ritual’ which they formed to oppose the practice. It has around 60 members, most of them youths, who have attracted ire from leaders of the community for speaking against the ritual which declares a bride ‘kharab maal’ in case she fails to bleed during intercourse.

Indrekar said, “The community members thought we were there to oppose but we had no such intention. The caste panchayat objected to our presence, claimed we were carrying out anti-community activities and attacked us,” said Indrekar.

While the community has been following the practice for several years, the incident has triggered a national debate on whether virginity tests of all kinds should be banned by law.

VOICES

It is sad that we are talking about things like virginity tests in the 21st century. We know that girls can lose their virginity due to several reasons apart from sexual intercourse. Even if they are legally banned, who will ensure that people will still not go for it? We need to change the mindset of people instead of making new laws and simply enforcing them.
—Sajiv Karayil, Andheri

I have no issues provided it’s also for men. The concept itself stinks of patriarchy and is an exposure of the regressive mindset that still exists. I am glad I come from a background where all of this never mattered. I stay in a metro city and if such things are still being discussed, I shudder to think what will be the plight of women in the rural parts of the country.
—Yogita Worlikar, Thane

This test is an intrusion into a woman’s private space and unacceptable. It has been proven that the hymen can be ruptured while playing sports or even cycling so why is this a test to judge a woman’s virtue? It is shameful that at a time when Indian women are making strides in every sphere of life, some are subjected to such archaic practices.
—Vinita Bhatia, Malad

Of course, the determination of virginity should be banned because it is about the privacy of a woman. It is a practice based on gender discrimination wherein a woman’s character is judged by her virginity. At a time when women are walking shoulder to shoulder with men in every field, such kind of social stigma pulls women down.
—Silky Sharma, Goregaon

Yes, it should be banned. And why is the test only for women? It should be the same for men too. We live in an open world today. Sex is no more a taboo, at least for the major part of the population in the city. So I don’t think there should be any issues if the partner is not virgin and there should definitely not be any test. If a man is not virgin, he becomes macho and people think he has seen life so the same should be the case for women as well. It’s okay if she had sex before marriage, she is an adult and responsible. She knows what she is doing. In fact be happy if you find such a person than getting into test to check virginity.
—Sanket Bhatt,Ghatkopar

It has to be banned. There is no conclusive evidence to decide about virginity. Nowadays, there are even surgeries to reconstruct the vagina. Moreover, when a couple gets married they should accept each other as what they are and not insist on digging the past. As relationships last on trust and not on each other’s medical evidence of sexual past.
—Sajan Oommen, Kandivali
 
Virginity tests before marriage should be legally banned. The government should take the strictest legal action if such acts are committed by any person. It is inhuman and a clear case of violation of human rights. Women should not be exploited in the name of community activity which could leave a devastating effect on the woman and her family members.
—Akshay Patil, Mulund

Indeed such practices to determine the virginity of a woman should be banned. For a successful marriage, being a virgin is not the criteria. Being so modernised, we still behave conservatively. This is the methodology we follow as a society. I completely support banning such regressive practices. In case a couple had a divorce because something did not go well in their marriage though they are both amazing personalities. They won’t be virgin anymore but that does not mean that they cannot find a suitable partner in the future. Being a virgin or not should not affect the future life of any person.
—Harsh Chedda,Jogeshwari

EXPERT SPEAK

The community has engaged in this regressive ritual for several years wherein women have been subjected to the test by senior members of the community. As educated youth, we spoke against it which angered them. The social boycott Act and its provisions are not being used by the police while taking action against such practices. We also need a stronger and more pointed legislation to stop such practices.
—Vivek Tamaichikar, activist from the Kanjarbhat community

The very basis of such kinds of regressive moves is the existence of a caste panchayat in the community. With the laws of caste panchayat being imposed on women, their virginity is seen as a sign of their honour. Only when there are strict laws against the caste panchayats and punitive actions taken would it help arrest such practices.
—Durga Gudilu, activist from the Vaidu Community