In the second-year forensic medicine curriculum for MBBS students, topics such as lesbianism and sodomy were previously categorized under sexual offences. This categorization, along with the reintroduction of subjects like the importance of the hymen and virginity, was intended to link these concepts to medico-legal significance. However, significant criticism arose regarding these topics being framed in a regressive and discriminatory manner. In response to public outrage and the demand for more inclusive education, the National Medical Commission (NMC), guided by an expert committee appointed by the Madras High Court, undertook a comprehensive revision of the curriculum in 2022.
The above guidelines will be revised and uploaded in due course.
Government Official
The revisions aimed to make the curriculum more LGBTQI+ friendly and to remove content deemed outdated and harmful. This decision came after widespread objections from various advocacy groups and the general public, who criticized the curriculum for perpetuating discrimination and violating contemporary standards of medical ethics and inclusivity. The revised guidelines are expected to be implemented before October, aligning with the admission of the new batch of students.
The 2022 revision introduced a clear distinction between consensual queer sex and criminal offences such as incest and bestiality. The curriculum now includes guidance on how to scientifically and ethically address issues of virginity in medico-legal contexts, should the court require such evaluations. The Madras High Court's directive specifically condemned the two-finger virginity test as unscientific and inhumane, leading to its removal from the curriculum. The court also emphasised the need to differentiate between fetishes, such as voyeurism, exhibitionism, or masochism, and mental disorders related to atypical interests.
In addition to these changes, disability rights activists have advocated for the inclusion of a dedicated module on disability within the curriculum. They have called for at least seven hours of training to ensure that medical students are adequately prepared to handle disability-related issues with sensitivity and competence. The absence of a comprehensive ethics module in the curriculum has also been criticised, with concerns that it violates the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, which mandates the inclusion of disability studies in medical education.
The revised curriculum represents a significant shift towards a more inclusive and ethically sound approach to forensic medicine, aiming to reflect current societal values and standards in medical practice.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)
