Where are the equal rights? - ask the ’Transgenders’

Where are the equal rights? - ask the ’Transgenders’

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, June 30, 2014:  Speaking after inaugurating a legal awareness programme for sexual minorities, interaction and distribution of departmental facilities to the beneficiaries, organised by the DK District Legal Services Authority, Mangalore Bar Association, Zilla Panchayat, Women and Child Welfare Department, Mangalore Police and Navasahaja Samudaya Sangatane and Karnataka Sexual Minorities Forum here, at Zilla Panchayat, Principal district and Sessions Judge Uma M G  said that in a historic verdict, the Supreme Court on April 15, 2014 recognised transgenders as a third category, other than male or female, and directed the government to grant benefit of reservation to them on a par with socially and economically backward classes of citizens, removing the discrimination faced by them.

 

 

She added, "Though the Constitution guarantees equal rights to all its citizens, we have neglected the sexual minorities in India. Article 14 to 17 of Indian Constitution which speaks on equality and security of citizens is applicable to them as well ".

The sexual minorities have legal recourse and have right to decide their sex. She said that the Court has directed the governments to form welfare boards and implement the recommendations of the board within six months. The Karnataka government has formed 11 member sub-committee and report will be submitted  July end, the District Sessions Judge said.

Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim said though there are about 1,700 transgenders in Dakshina Kannada district, there are no takers for benefits under ’Mythri’ scheme under which a monthly pension of Rs 500 is paid to transgenders. None of the transgenders have come forward to avail the benefits. “Lack of address proof is one of the major problems  that hinder them from obtaining ration cards. There is a need to solve the problem. They do not get loans.” Dakshina Kannada SP S D Sharanappa said that financial self-sufficiency may solve most of the problems of the sexual minorities. There is a need to sensitise the society on sexual minorities.

Financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh was disbursed among Chamundi Self-help Group, Jyothi Self-help Group, Manasa Self-help Group and Navodaya Self-help Group. A sum of Rs 20,000 was given to 15 sexual- minority shopkeepers.

Senior Civil Judge N S Pateel, Women and Children Welfare Department Deputy Director Gatrude Veigas, Mangalore Bar Association President P Ashok Ariga, District Health Officer Dr Shivakumar, Deputy Commissioner of Police Jagadish, Dr Kishore of District AIDS Control Unit, Social Server Akkai Padmashali, Nandana of Karnataka Sexual Minorities’ Forum, Rajesh of Navasahya were among those present.

Repeal ‘Section 36 (A) : Social worker Akkai Padmashali demanded that the Section 36 (A) of the Karnataka Police Act should be revoked. There has been increasing misuse of Section 377 of IPC by the police against third gender. The government should provide BPL cards and employment to eligible transgenders.

Akkai Padmashali said that the committee formed by the State government would prepare a draft policy as per the guidelines of the Apex Court. “We will meet the CM and the ministers concerned in August and request them to implement the recommendations of the committee.” She proudly declared that the she is the first transgender to get a driving license.