OBC quota opening doors but policies need better implementation: Transgenders

BENGALURU: Manju, 41, is a postgraduate but is forced to beg for a living. The transgender harboured the dream of being a teacher but was shown the door by many colleges. “What good is my education? Despite being a degree holder, I have to resort to begging. I have been pushed into sex work too. Had society been a little empathetic towards me, I would be living with dignity,” said Manju.

Discrimination and stigma have bulldozed the dreams of many like Manju, who are competent enough to hold respectable positions. But coming to the rescue of the community, the Supreme Court last week passed a ruling reiterating that transgenders have to be included in the OBC category.

Though the judgment was delivered on April 15, 2014, the NDA government moved an application in July 2014 seeking clarification on whether the term ‘transgender’ included lesbians, gays and bisexuals. The apex court’s latest verdict has clarified that the transgender community does not include lesbians, gays and bisexuals but only eunuchs.

The judgement has come as a ray of hope for transgenders who can now identify themselves as the third gender, reap the benefits enjoyed by OBCs and get more employment opportunities. However, implementation of policies is still a far cry, say activists.

“Though we are witnessing a change, it is visible only in a few institutions and organizations working for the uplift of transgenders. The policies are still pending with the government and there is a lack of implementation. We are yet to be accepted by society. Commissions should be set up to look into policies related to the transgender community,” said Akkai Padmashali, an activist inspiring transgender community across the world.

When asked about transgenders being given the recognition of the third gender, Akkai said, “If I am the third gender, then who is the first? Why should anyone decide what my gender is?

Rakshita, 19, who is all set to pursue B Com, said the SC order will help only if the government and society gives them employment opportunities. “Even though the verdict brings us under the OBC umbrella, transgenders hardly any chance to grow. How many colleges are willing to offer admission to transgenders except St Joseph’s,” she asked.

Fighting stigma despite SC order

The SC order should be accepted and implemented at the state level. I have been pursuing modelling and have worked in the national award-winning and critically acclaimed Kannada movie Naanu Avanalla Avalu, which which narrates the story of a transgender. But I am still struggling. I am mostly offered petty roles, which portray transgenders in a bad light. I dropped out of school after class 7 because I was bullied. If we have to struggle for something like a ration card despite the OBC status, there is a serious lack of policy implementation.

Sumithra, 23, actor

Activist to meet Rajan

RBI governor Raghram Rajan will be in the city on Tuesday and will meet activist and Karnataka Rajyotsava awardee Akkai Padmashali. Akkai bring to the fore problems faced by the community, including difficulty in availing loans and lack of job opportunities in the banking sector.