AAP govt draws flak for its 'two-finger' test advisory

A rape victim should not be subjected to such inhuman treatment, said BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra

Even after the withdrawal of its advisory on 'two-finger' test on rape victims, AAP government today continued to be at the receiving end of outrage and criticism from various quarters including opposition parties who demanded an apology from Health Minister Satyendra Jain.

"A rape victim should not be subjected to such inhuman treatment. The Health Minister of AAP government must have been in the loop during the whole procedure. He should come out and apologise for the issuance of the circular," BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said.

Criticising the Delhi government for being "insensitive" and "not knowing" the rules, Congress leader Shobha Oza said, "The Supreme Court has termed the test as an inhuman practice. New rape laws formed after the Justice Verma Committee recommendations ban the two-finger test but here is a government which allows it. This shows how insensitive it is."

Congress leader and former Union minister RPN Singh termed it as "very unfortunate" and said the test had been banned when the party was in power. "It (the circular) was a bad step and it is good that they have withdrawn it."

Lawyer-activist Abha Singh said the advisory was "degrading" and "violates physical and mental integrity of an already traumatised rape victim".

"It is surprising how the Delhi government came out with such a circular despite a Supreme Court ruling. The SC must pass a stricture against the government for the circular which re-traumatises the rape victim," she said.

Social activist Nirmala Sawant said though the order has been withdrawn, there should be a probe carried out as to how such a circular was issued.

The Delhi government had recently issued an advisory to its hospitals stating that Per Vaginal (PV) examination, also referred to as 'two-finger test', for rape survivors can be conducted with their consent.

After facing flak, the Delhi government today claimed that the advisory was "misinterpreted" and said it will issue a fresh notification clearly mentioning that this procedure to ascertain sexual assault is banned.