What is the Virginity Test?
Virginity test is the process of determining a female is a virgin that is to determine that she has never engaged in or been subjected to sexual intercourse. The test generally involves a check for the presence of an intact hymen, on the flawed assumption that it can only be torn as a result of sexual intercourse.
The decision of the Maharashtra Government:
Certain communities in Maharashtra follow a custom where a newly-wed has to prove that she was a virgin before marriage. On this, the Maharashtra Government on Wednesday has said that forcing a woman to undergo virginity test will be a punishable offense.
The Minister for State home, Ranjeet Patel, met a delegation of some organization on this issue to discuss it. The spokesperson of Shiv Sena was also a part of that delegation.
The Minister told to the reporters later that Virginity test will be considered a form of sexual assault after consultations with the Law And Judiciary a circular will be issued declaring it as a punishable offense.
The Department will hold a bimonthly review of cases of sexual assault, and ensure less pendency of such cases before the court.
