Ganga Kumari didn't face any discrimination in school, college or her small village.
Two years after 24-year-old Ganga Kumari was denied the post of a constable in the Rajasthan Police owing to her gender, she is all set to become the first transgender in the state to wear the uniform. The Rajasthan High Court yesterday directed the police to process Ganga's appointment within six weeks and consider her selection from 2015.
A resident of Raniwara in Jalore district of Rajasthan, Ganga had cleared the police recruitment test for constables in 2013, however, her appointment in 2015 was held up following medical examination and "lack of clarity of rules". The delay forced her to approach the court a year later.
Ganga, the youngest of seven siblings, didn't face any discrimination or humiliation in school, college or her small village. But she was disappointed when her appointment was halted based on her gender.
"It took two years and a legal battle for this victory, but I am happy as it was worth the wait. People are biased against transgender persons. I want to change that mindset," Ganga said.
Constable Ganga Kumari, who will now be posted in Jalore, was the first transgender to clear the written examination and physical test for recruitment of police constables in Rajasthan. "I dreamed of joining the police because I want to serve the citizens of my country. Now the path ahead is clear and I want to begin my new role on a positive note," Ganga told NDTV.
Earlier this year, 25-year-old
K Prithika Yashini became the first transgender person to join as a sub-inspector in Tamil Nadu police.
Like Ganga, she too had to fight for her rights. As the state police recruitment board didn't have a third gender category, her application got rejected at first. But following her petition, the Madras High Court declared her a fit candidate, paving the way for her appointment by the Tamil Nadu government.
The Court had also directed the recruitment board to make changes to draw transgenders to the state police force.
Back in 2014, the Supreme Court, in a landmark judgment, had created the "third gender" status for transgenders. The top court had directed the Centre to treat transgenders as socially and economically backward and said they are entitled to equal opportunities in education and employment.