January 2026 - A tragic event in Hyderabad shocked the nation. A 19-year-old student, Varshini, who is studying at Government College in Malkajgiri, was allegedly barred from accessing her classroom for being late due to menstruation. Her lecturer allegedly insisted on “proof” of her period and humiliated her in front of her classmates when she explained her reason. Hours after that, Varshini fell to the ground at home and was pronounced dead at the hospital. Her parents feel the stress and humiliation caused her sudden death. This tragedy has awakened outrage in itself and poses pressing questions about the treatment of women, particularly with regard to menstruation.
What Happened to Varshini?
The day in which the incident occurred, Varshini was late to college. Her lecturers denied her entrance into her classroom. She told them she was on her period and was delayed because of it. Rather than help her through this process, one of the lecturers supposedly mocked her and asked for proof that she was menstruating. Classmates said she was called a liar and accused of “acting.” Varshini went home, greatly injured and humiliated. She collapsed shortly after she arrived and was taken to the hospital by her parents, reports say. Tragically, she was declared dead on arrival. Doctors found a clot in her brain, and her parents believe the emotional trauma triggered the fatal collapse.
SHOW US PROOF OF MENSTRUATION!
— Revathi (@revathitweets) January 9, 2026
19 year old Varshini, a student of Government College, Malkajgiri, Hyderabad was late to college.
Lecturers refused to let Varshini into the classroom. She told her lecturer that she is on her period and hence got delayed.
The great lecturer… pic.twitter.com/oHTvOwvjMB
The Pain of Humiliation:
Menstruation is a natural biological process, but many women continue to feel shame, silence, disbelief while discussing it. In the case of Varshini, being asked to “prove” her period was not only insensitive, it was cruel. It regarded her pain as a lie and her body as something to be doubted. This type of humiliation can have deep emotional consequences. For young women such as Varshini, deriding her for something so private gives rise to anxiety, depression and, in rare instances, physical collapse. Her death serves as a tragic reminder that emotional stress is real and perilous.
A Larger Problem:
Sadly, Varshini’s story is not alone. Women in India and around the world are often pressured to make sense of their pain. Whether it’s menstrual cramps, fatigue or emotional distress, they’re advised to “prove” they’re suffering. This is a deep-seated problem, as society will not believe women until they have something physical to prove it. Menstruation raises little concern in schools, on college campuses about menstruation. Many institutions do not have the policies, support structures, or even a basic understanding. In many cases, instead of providing care, educators react with disbelief or punishment. This needs to change.
Public Reaction:
The news of Varshini’s death has triggered outrage online. Students, activists and social media users have criticized the college's behavior and called for accountability. The hashtag #JusticeForVarshini is trending and many people are documenting their own experiences of getting shamed or dismissed when they are menstruating. Women are now asking: Why should women ever have to prove their pain? Why is menstruation so stigmatizing? And why did a young life have to come to an end before these questions would be considered seriously?
What Needs to Change?
There has to be action taken from this tragedy. Colleges and schools must set up safe spaces for students to talk without fear about their health. Teachers should be taught to respond with empathy, not judgment. Menstrual education ought to be woven into every curriculum not just for girls, but for everyone. The policies must be flexible enough for students with health problems, particularly those associated with menstruation. And no one deserves to be shamed or disciplined for acts they cannot control.
Varshini’s death is a sad reminder of how society fails its women. She was an intelligent young pupil and a girl who required respect, care and empathy. She was greeted with cruelty, if not disbelief instead. Her story should never be forgotten. It must drive us to create a world where no woman is demanded to prove what her pain has cost her and where dignity is never suppressed.
