IGIMS Patna removes the word 'virgin' after controversy, issues new form

IGIMS Patna has now removed the word 'virgin' from its 'Declaration of Marital Status' form.

Patna: After facing backlash from several counters, including Central and state government, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) Patna has removed the word 'virgin' from its 'Declaration of Marital Status' form.

The controversy erupted yesterday after reports of IGIMS Patna asking its employees to declare 'bachelor/widower/virgin' status and the number of wives they have in a marital status declaration form emerged.

Earlier today, the Centre and state asked the government-run hospital to submit a report on the issue.

Defending the word in the marital status form, Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey on Thursday morning said `virgin` just means 'unmarried' and that it has used in the form for the last 34 years.

"The word which is used is `virgin`. It means unmarried girl, maiden. I don`t think these words are not objectionable. But still this issue is being raised. I had a word with the officials of the IGIMS.They said that this is the format of AIIMS and since 1983, it is being used in every organisation of the country," Pandey told ANI.

In an earlier incident, IGIMS Patna had allegedly refused to provide ambulance services to the parents of a five-year-old child, who died battling cancer. Following this, the father carried the child's body on his shoulder.