We live in the 21st century, and even in such an advanced era, virginity tests are still considered to be the character certificates of women belonging to the Kanjarbhat community. It is surely a practice that should have been eradicated from our society years ago. However, as it is better late than never, the Maharashtra Government on Wednesday assured the State Legislative Council that it will take criminal action against people from Kanjarbhat caste or any other community that forces brides to undergo a virginity test or ritual hereafter.
When Neelam Gorhe, a Shiv Sena MLC tabled the issue in the house explaining how some youth, when opposed the humiliating ritual, were assaulted by the community, the minister of state, Ranjit Patil responded to this calling by announcing a crackdown on the ritual. He told the legislative council activists who fight against the practice will be protected, and those who are found to subjected women to the ritual will be prosecuted under the Maharashtra Protection of People from Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2016. Action would also be taken if the panchayat members were found to be interfering in cases of rape and sexual harassment and try to settle them outside the court.
The illegal practice will be checked and talking about it openly will also be brought to notice. Complaints about the same will be taken seriously. Patil also informed that social awareness meetings for the caste panchayats and social activists will be held to throw a logical light upon this issue.