A professor of forensic medicine at Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (MGIMS) in Maharashtra's Sewagram has written to the Medical Council of India (MCI) seeking the removal of the 'two-finger test' also known as the 'virginity test' from the medical curriculum. Dr. Indrajit Khandekar has claimed that the test has no scientific basis and violates human rights.
Speaking to media personnel, Dr. Khandekar said that he has submitted copies of the report to the Union ministries of health as well as the ministry of women and child development. Registrar of the Maharashtra Univerity of Health Sciences, Dr. KD Chavhan was also sent a copy of the report on December 26.
The professor claims that the 'two-finger' test cannot give decisive evidence of vaginal intercourse or sexual history. He goes further to say that the process is physically and psychologically distressing for the examinee. Owing to its inclusion in the curriculum, the virginity test is included in all textbooks of forensic medicine. Dr. Khandekar says that these reference books and textbooks quote no scientific literature or study to prove the scientific relevance of the 'two-finger' test.
Dr. Khandekar also said that references to the test in the medical curriculum create a misguided perception about the process in the minds of doctors, the general public and even the judiciary. The virginity test is a widely-followed examination of female genitalia to determine whether she has had vaginal intercourse or not. Also known as the 'two-finger' test, this practice is used during the investigation of rape cases.
