In a shocking incident of its kind, a 7-month-old pregnant woman was forced to dance for a practical exam. The incident happened in a Chhattisgarh private college where the 24-year-old is a BEd student. However, Sant Harkewal BEd College in Raipur, North Chhattisgarh had made its women students sign an undertaking at the beginning of the course stating that they would not conceive during the two-year academic programme. But, Pratibha Minj was three-months pregnant when she signed the affidavit after taking admission in August 2017.

Pratibha who delivered a baby girl on February 3 was humiliated and made to dance in front of the class when she was seven months pregnant. While she requested them multiple times to exempt her from the performance, her plea fell on dead ears. The Times of India quoted Pratibha as saying, "I requested the teachers to excuse me from dancing as I was seven-month pregnant, but they forced me threatening that else they would deduct my marks. I danced and they laughed, while I and my classmates were left embarrassed."

She also said that teachers have threatened her that she would not be allowed to appear for the exam in April because she violated the rule. While students need mandatory 80 percent attendance to appear for exams, Pratibha has 94 percent of her records. She has now approached the National Students' Union of India for help.

Surguja collector Kiran Kaushal said that the incident has been noted and has asked the nodal officer for higher education, SK Tripathi, to issue a show-cause notice to the college.

Tripathi said, "I have called up the principal and asked him to immediately revoke the rule of getting affidavits from girl students regarding pregnancy. Though principal said that he was unaware of the woman being forced to dance in the college, he promised to get back with details."

Pratibha also said, "I had asked my parents to submit a leave application in college but the principal Anjan Singh insisted on my presence in the class. On March 17 and 20, I visited the college and requested the principal to grant me leave till exams, but he insisted that I attend all classes, else he won't allow me to appear for my exams."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 28, 2018 10:55 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).