JOIN USIt is important for judiciary to make “bold pronouncements in support of the transgender community” and consider their point of view, said Justice A K Sikri, acting chief Justice of Delhi High Court at a ‘public hearing’ on Saturday.
It was suggested in the hearing that every state should set up a transgender welfare board and a transgender commission which will deal with their issues.
A non-discrimination law has also been recommended.
Around 100 members of transgender community also referred to as Hijras attended the public hearing. They shared their experiences and debated on the issues faced by them on macro and micro levels.
The participants belonged Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi.
Justice A P Shah, former chief Justice of Delhi HC said as per the Constitution everybody is equal.
“Personal choice cannot be questioned in case of gender. We are entitled to right to life in whichever way we like it,” he added.
Laya Medhini, director of center for legal aid and rights said such public hearings helped examine issues related to justice for transgenders.
“For instance, when UNDP representatives and our team approached renowned hotels to conduct this seminar only Le Meridien agreed to hold this hearing.
This speaks volumes of what society thinks and how the third gender is accepted,” she added.
Others issues such as violence, exclusion, identity crisis, no definition of gender for the community, insecurity and violation of basic rights were highlighted by representatives of the community.
The jury comprising of Justices Shah and Sikri, member of Parliament Dr E M Sudarsana Natchiappan, Justice Prabha Sridevan, chairman of the intellectual property appellate board, Jamia professor Dr Anjali Gandhi and actor Dolly Thakore.