Rajasthan’s First Transgender Constable Finally Appointed After A Two Year Struggle

On November 13, the Rajasthan High Court ordered the local city police department to appoint Ganga Kumari, a 24-year-old transgender woman, as a constable within six weeks of the judgement. Hailing from the small town of Raniwara in Rajasthan, Ganga claimed that she had never faced any discrimination while she was growing up or even while she was at college, despite the fact that she was the youngest of seven siblings.

However, she was shocked to discover that her application to the post of constable had been rejected even after clearing the police recruitment test in 2013 due to the results of her medical test. Her recruitment (that was to start in 2015) was indefinitely delayed and it was only then that she realised that the opportunity was being denied to her because of her gender. After being told repeatedly that the delay was due to a ‘lack of clarity of rules’ and a clearly defined third gender, she decided to fight for her right to serve as part of the police force.

Ganga knocked on the doors of the Rajasthan High Court and it was only after a long-drawn, two year legal battle that justice finally prevailed. Today, Ganga is the first transgender cop in the state and the third in the country. As a part of the same judgement, the Court has also ordered the police department to create opportunities for transgenders within the force. The roots of this victory lie in the landmark judgement of 2014, when the Supreme Court added a third, vital box for the third gender, in addition to male and female. The apex court had instructed the Centre to treat them as an economically and socially backward class and provide them with equal opportunities so far as education and employment go.

Speaking about her victory, Ganga said “I am delighted that my long struggle has finally come to an end, but I will always miss being the first transgender in India to join the police force” – as part of her larger purpose to serve the country. She has decided to stay positive and not let the delay in appointment affect her in any way. Echoing the voice of the Constitution of India, her lawyer R. S. Rathore expressed “The court said that the Constitution is gender neutral and no citizen can be discriminated against on the basis of gender. She will be the first transgender to be appointed (as constable) in the state police of Rajasthan and third in India.”

This judgement is an important milestone in the journey towards the creation of a harmonious, accepting and fair society. Stories like Ganga’s remind us that, given the vast diversity across India, we have a long way to go until a concerted effort towards inclusivity is made across multiple opportunities, industries and government-led forces.