Odisha gets its first transgender lawyer

KEONJHAR: Mohammed Salim has scripted history. On Thursday, Salim, now known as Salma Begum, became the state's first transgender lawyer to get registered at the Odisha Bar Council and is awaiting a chance to practice at Barbil court.

Born in Bhuyanroida, under Joda block of Keonjhar, Salim was a woman trapped in a man's body. It was in 2015 that Salim decided to come out in the open after meeting a transgender group. After completing graduation, Salma got a law degree from Pravas Manjari Law College, Keonjhar, in 2021. "After the Transgender Protection Act 2019 came into effect, I got my Aadhaar card. That gave me confidence to do something and I decided to study law with a hope that one day I will practice at Barbil court," said Salma.

Some years back Salma had shot into the limelight after applying for the post of subinspector of police. While the result is still awaited after the process got delayed, she took up law. Salma appealed to parents to accept their children as they are. “Despite the social stigma, we have to live without caring for the vile comments and neglect tat we get from society. Hence, it is more important for parents to support their children to take on the world,” Salma added