Karnataka HC creates history; takes transgender on its payroll

Published: Sunday, Feb 5, 2012, 9:58 IST

By Odeal D'Souza | Place: Bangalore | Agency: DNA

For the first time in the history of the Karnataka High Court, a
transgender was appointed as an employee. This was announced at the
valedictory function of the Mega Lok Adalats on Saturday.

Justice Altamas Kabir of Supreme Court handed over an appointment
letter to one C Anu, a transgender, for a job in the Group ‘D’
category.

Justice Kabir termed it as the ‘high point’ of the ceremony and said
the neglected sexual minority group needs to be recognised in
different spheres of life and jobs should be provided in various
government departments.

Registrar general of the high court P Krishna Bhat told DNA, “Anu is
around 24 years old and is a resident of Bangalore. For quite some
time,Anu was associated with various developmental activities with
other transgenders. She also associated with certain groups that work
for health-related areas. Her salary after appointment in the high
court would be around `5,000. She will start working from February 6.”

Empowering sexual minorities

The idea of identifying the sexual minority and giving them a job was
the brainchild of justice Kabir and Karnataka High Court chief justice
Vikramajit Sen, the registrar general added.
For the past one year they have been conducting a drive to empower the
transgenders in various places and came to know a lot about them
during the process.

“We identified Anu last month. She has completed Class VI,” Bhat said.

When the high court officials gave her the news of her appointment,
Anu was elated. She, however, took it in a dignified and calm way, he
added.

“The whole idea is to bring them to social mainstream and to
destigmatise transgender community. They are socially ostracised and
therefore deprived of all opportunities of normal living,” Bhat said.

Justice Hegde approves

Former Lok Ayukta Santosh Hegde was happy about Anu’s appointment. He
said: “I have full faith in the appointment and it is very much a
positive development.”

Bangalore university vice-chancellor Dr N. Prabhudev said, “We have
reservation in post graduation courses for the sexual minority. We
have reserved one seat in 52 disciplines. We have requested the
Government to have reservations in the undergraduate levels too.What
the judiciary has done is a good move.”

Speaking to DNA the senior counsel and former chairperson of the
Karnataka State Women Commission Pramila Nesargi said, “This is a
welcome development. It is very positive. It will help in eradication
of discrimination in the society.”

©2012 Diligent Media Corporation Ltd.

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