The National Commission for Women has found the report of the Madhya Pradesh government, into the alleged virginity tests conducted on brides during a state-sponsored mass marriage, 'unsatisfactory' and decided to probe into the matter itself.
"The report submitted to us by the Shahdol district administration of the state in this matter is not satisfactory," NCW Chairperson Girija Vyas said. She added that a five-member team of the Commission, led by NCW member Yasmin Abrar, will now thoroughly study the execution of the scheme.
The team will also have two experts -- a lawyer and a member of the Madhya Pradesh Woman Commission. The team will focus on the controversial event of virginity tests and also study the scheme execution.
Earlier, the NCW, taking a suo motu cognizance of the matter, had sought an interim report from the MP government after the incident evoked a strong condemnation from non-Bharatiya Janata parties. The issue also had its echo in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, where the Congress and the BJP members clashed over it.
Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal described such tests as shameful, an insult to women and a throwback to the 18th century.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, however, denied that such tests had been carried out, saying the one carried out on June 26 was not a 'virginity test but just a procedural medical examination'.
