In a heartfelt and powerful move, the Bombay High Court has stepped forward to demand accountability from both the State Government and a University regarding reforms in the medical education system. At the heart of this matter is a very sensitive issue: the inclusion of updated guidelines in the MBBS curriculum that directly concern survivors of sexual violence. The court did not mince its words. It called the practice of so-called virginity tests including the discredited two-finger test “unscientific, inhuman, and discriminatory.” These are strong words, but necessary ones, given the trauma that such outdated practices can cause, especially to women who have already gone through so much.
A Fight for Dignity and Human Rights in Medical Education
The case was brought to the Court by a concerned petitioner who highlighted that, despite clear instructions from the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Ministry of Health, the new reforms were not being fully implemented by some authorities. The updated curriculum is part of a larger shift toward competency-based medical education, aiming to build a more compassionate and human rights–driven approach in handling cases of sexual violence. What’s deeply troubling is that despite clear national mandates, some institutions are still lagging behind. The petitioner argued that both the State and University must act immediately to enforce these crucial reforms. The goal is simple yet vital: to ensure that survivors are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve, without being subjected to humiliating and medically unsound procedures.
Clear Guidelines, Long Overdue Action
The Union Health Ministry had already issued comprehensive guidelines as far back as March 2013, and again in August 2022. These instructions were crystal clear they stated that so-called signs of virginity, especially tests involving the examination of female genitalia, have no scientific basis and must be removed from all medical training. The revised curriculum also calls for educating future doctors on how to properly respond if courts ever demand such tests. They are to explain clearly and confidently that these tests have no place in modern, ethical medical practice. In support of this, the Court referred to a landmark judgment by the Supreme Court in State of Jharkhand vs. Shailendra Kumar Rai. That verdict had already emphasized the importance of ending such cruel practices and directed both State and Union Governments to conduct training workshops, revise medical textbooks, and circulate updated protocols across all healthcare institutions.
A Step in the Right Direction, But More Needs to Be Done
While the Bombay High Court acknowledged that the Health Ministry and the University had taken some steps in the right direction, it made it clear that more is needed. The Court now expects both authorities to submit formal responses confirming their full compliance with these essential reforms. To that end, it has given them two weeks’ time to act, with the next hearing scheduled for April 9, 2025. This moment is not just a procedural step it is a call for introspection. Are we doing enough to protect the dignity of survivors? Are we preparing our future doctors to uphold ethics, compassion, and human rights? The Bombay High Court has made its position clear, and now it’s time for the rest of the system to respond with equal seriousness and care.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and reflects recent developments in an ongoing legal case. For official updates and further information, readers are advised to refer to the Bombay High Court records and verified government sources.
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