A Bloody Shame: I Speak.

That's right. The Gods blame you for your impurity after they made you that way.

In India, menstruation and women's sanitary hygiene (though much debated in society today) are considered taboo and undoubtedly one of the most dreaded topics of discussion among families. In any Indian society no matter how modern or conservative, menstruation is seen as impure and sometimes even sinful, by men and women alike. Every Indian woman, I'm sure, has at least once had some kind of awkward, embarrassing experience while on her period. Women go through a half lifetime bleeding it out every month, but we're all so afraid to face the plain reality of it. We Indian women are so conditioned to this and we blend so well in society without ever showing a sign of being on our period, why is it a big deal?

You know those rare times when we fail to conceal our bodily monsters, maybe in the form of a stain on our clothes or a drop of blood in the bathroom? THAT is when it's a big deal. A bloody shame.

Biology. Anatomy. Always remember, it's normal.

I recently read this article on DailyO about a girls' hostel warden (a woman) who, after finding drops of blood in the bathroom stripped 70 schoolgirls naked to check for menstrual blood - and punish whoever was responsible for this evil. Yes, she sought to punish a teenager for being on her period. The sin of all sins.

Period shaming is neither new nor surprising. This atrocity has continued for generations to exclude women from social and cultural activities, so much so that many men (including those who are married) can't stand the thought of a woman bleeding every month naturally, and many women are disgusted themselves. Many don't understand that it's the sign of a healthy, regulated reproductive system - they consider it a physical burden since they don't have access to sanitary supplies and clean clothing, food or water.

Let me take this moment to also say that Mr. Arunachalam Muruganantham (the sanitary man) is doing wonders with his affordable napkin manufacturing units, aiding the supply of sanitary napkins in rural areas. I hope there will be many to join the cause and make periods comfortable for all women.

Kamakhya, the menstruating Goddess. Women are prohibited from entering this temple too, during their menses. The irony.

I'm a woman; I'm just one out of half the damn world population. I don't want to be constantly guilty of the fact that I have breasts and, wait for it - A VAGINA! Oh-oh, I've said the dreaded V-word.

Yes, I bleed. We all bleed. We bleed for nature and we bleed for motherhood. Women bleed.

Menstruation and ovulation are as human and as natural as blood circulation, the digestion of food, the production of urine, sperm, sweat and saliva. I still can't wrap my head around the fact that women are shamed so much for just a natural bodily process that is already exhausting, what harm does 4 bleeding days of her month do you, or anyone?

We women are your wives, sisters, daughters and friends. Can we all just take a moment and cut the fear of mentioning it openly with our peers/family? I hope women out there don't have to think twice to ask the men in their life to get them a pack of sanitary napkins or tampons, because it's too shameful, it's a hush-hush matter, or it's a taboo? Or are these men SO scared of the monthly monster, that bringing up the period topic shakes them to their knees?

I am, and I want all women to be absolutely unapologetic and open about their period. NO SHAME. It's not my fault, not a sin and most certainly not disgusting.

Now coming to the taxes part - WHY? Do you charge women tax on having babies? Do you tax women when they have miscarriages? Why menstruation?

It's not a car, a flight ticket or an expensive lipstick. It's as important as my food, shelter and clothing. It's not a luxury and not a choice. IT'S A NECESSITY. Only a small percentage of Indian women have access to sanitary supplies and millions of others still can't afford the basics.

The government says not to charge tax on condoms/contraceptives as it's a basic need and should be made easily available. That's right, you don't charge tax on essential health commodities.

Are we still saying that women's sanitary hygiene is to be taxed because, well, napkins are a premium commodity? Because we don't need them for essential healthcare but we just like them? For fun?

I don't want to pay more taxes just because I have a vagina. I speak on behalf of every Indian woman.

We bleed. We bleed like every other female animal in the world because we need to further the life and existence of our species.

DON'T YOU DARE TAX US FOR IT. We will not pay. Period.