Maharashtra family faces social boycott for opposing virginity test

A family from the Kanjarbhat community in Thane district of Maharashtra has approached the police after it faced social boycott for opposing the practice of virginity test of women an official said on ThursdayBased on the familys complaint the Thane police on Wednesday night booked four persons from Ambernath town here under the Maharashtra Prohibition Of People From Social Boycott Prevention Prohibition and Redressal Act he saidThe complainant Vivek Tamaichikar told the police that his family was facing a boycott by their communitys jati caste panchayat for the last one year for opposing the custom whereby a newlywed woman has to prove that she was virgin prior to the marriage He alleged that their panchayat instructed all members of the community not be have any association with his familyThe community members went to such an extent that when my grandmother died on Monday they did not come for her funeral Tamaichikar told reporters on Wednesday On the contrary the same day the community members participated in a prewedding celebration in the locality with loud music while there was a death in his family he ruedTamaichikar said in a progressive society such boycotts were unwarranted Following his complaint four persons were booked an official at Ambernath police station said adding that no arrest was made so far Notably the Maharashtra government in February this year said it will soon make forcing a woman to undergo virginity test a punishable offenceVirginity test will be considered a form of sexual assaultafter consultations with the law and judiciary department a circular will be issued declaring it a punishable offence Maharashtras Minister of State for Home Ranjeet Patil then said The demeaning custom is allegedly followed in the Kanjarbhat community among others Some youths from the community have launched an online campaign against itTop News Stories Of The DayAditya Pancholi claims he was threatened with a rape case submits videoMumbai Kids show how to sort out Vile Parles traffic woesMumbai BPO firm asked to pay Rs 262 crore or face recovery proceedingsMumbai Narrow approach stalls Jogeshwari projectPune Honest janitor returns mangalsutra worth Rs 2 lakhDeven Bharti is new ATS chief MaharashtraMumbai HC refuses to vacate stay on BMCs Tree AuthorityMedicine shortage BMC blacklists rogue supplierDadars Chitra Cinema to shut down SOTY 2 to be its last day last showNick Barnes Power to humiliate has increased dramaticallyAction should follow new BMC chiefs promisesRamona Narang The transformation of high societys once wild childAranya Johar The 20yearold poet who is taking the internet by stormA walk through Mohammed Ali Roads Khau GalliInteresting facts about the Holy Month of RamzanCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates