High Court Seeks Response On Formulation Of Transgender Policy

Allahabad High Court has sought response from the State Government and Central Government on the PIL seeking formulation of transgender policy in Uttar Pradesh. The PIL filed through Shubham Gautam, President of Kinnar Shakti Foundation, also demands prompt implementation of Transgender Ayushman TG Plus Card Scheme along with setting up of awareness programmes and transgender protection cell in the state.

PIL has sought proper allocation of resources for setting up and running of Garima Griha facilities across the state, formulation of comprehensive policies to meet the health needs of transgender persons in the state, setting up of transgender toilets and providing admission to people of transgender community in educational institutions and recruitment of transgender persons in government sectors by running special campaigns.

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This order has been given by a division bench of Chief Justice Arun Bhansali and Justice Vikas Wednesday. The next hearing of the petition will be on October 16.
It was said that there are many socio-cultural groups of transgender people in India. Such as Hijra/Kinnar, and other transgender identities like – Shiv-Shakti, Jogta, Jogappa, Aradhi, Sakhi, etc. who face ‘severe discrimination and harassment’ in all cases.

They face ‘unfair treatment’ such as verbal abuse, physical and sexual violence, false arrest, denial of access to their ancestral property, services and educational institutions and harassment in multiple settings such as family, educational institutions, workplace, public places.

“Transgender people in India face a variety of problems. This discrimination not only deprives transgender people of equal access to key social goods such as employment, health care, education and housing but it also marginalises them in society. Marginalization of trans people makes them one of the vulnerable groups who are at risk of being socially ostracised,” the PIL said.

The petition said that the petitioner organisation has submitted several representations to various authorities and high-ranking officials seeking appropriate relief in almost all aspects of life affecting transgender persons, including health, legal aid, education, sanitation, food and recreational facilities.

Despite these efforts, no satisfactory response has been received. No meaningful steps have been taken to implement the aims and objectives of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, the PIL said.