India is hardly known for its tolerance towards the LGBTQI society, consistently thwarting any and all attempts being made to ensure equal rights for the community.
In the midst of this hailstorm of hate there emerged a ray of hope when the news broke yesterday that the Odisha Government has agreed to let a group of transgenders perform at the Independence Day Parade on August 15.
As per guidelines all organisations seeking to take part in the festivities file a request with the Home Department which is then sent on the Police Commiserate for verification. This year the Transgender Surakshya Trust sent in a petition and were overjoyed when Bhubaneshwar’s commissioner Cuttack YB Khurania accepted their proposal.
Pratap Sahu, General Secretary of Surakshya Trust, is grateful for this opportunity and hopes that this is the beginning of a new chapter for the transgenders of Odisha and it will provide a platform for their organisation to promote their message “We are interested to take part in the I-Day parade to give strong social messages on gender discrimination, rights of transgenders and environment protection,” said Sahu to The New Indian Express.
A group of 30 transgender individuals are currently in rehearsal for the big day and while they are clearly looking forward to it there is more good news in store for the community in Odisha.
In accordance with the Supreme Court Directive regarding transgenders, the Odisha Subordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC) have been given instructions to recruit them as jail wardens.
“Transgenders will be doing duty in jails as warders. They will have to succeed in the qualifying examination with other candidates. A letter to this effect has been sent to the Odisha Subordinate Staff Selection Commission to take necessary steps in this regard,” says Additional Director General of Prisons, Manoranjan Patnaik.
While this is a huge leap forward in the inclusion of minorities in to mainstream society, which will hopefully lead to a more accepting attitude throughout the country and legal system, we do have some reservations. Why is it that the only place transgenders can find sanctuary are behind the high walls of a prison, in jobs that are far from safe and in conditions that can hardly be described as cheerful. This breakthrough is tainted by an unspoken caveat, but for now we shall stay content with the victory of the Surakshya Trust and will be dancing with them in spirit on Monday.