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.”
