Third past the post
7 Sep 2014 10:06 PM GMT
University of Delhi (DU) from this year has included ‘Third Gender’ category in post graduation admission forms and also, in recruitment forms for teachers. Further extending this move, the varsity will introduce the third gender category in its undergraduate courses forms from next academic session (2015-16). This move has come after the Supreme Court acknowledged them as ‘Third Gender’ earlier this year. Though the move has been welcomed by transgender community, they are still apprehensive about taking regular classes in colleges and prefer to study through correspondence.
‘If anybody from my community decides to study in college and wants to attend classes regularly, then they have to be mentally very strong. They have to put all their emotions and other problems aside and then study in college. Though the university has finally accepted our identity, still fear over our security looms. How will I concentrate on my studies, when I will be constantly bothered about discrimination in the college or will be seen as some new element? I don’t think every student and teacher has accepted us,’ said Kiran, a transgender who is currently working with an NGO. She has studied till 12th standard and says if she decides to study further, it will be through correspondence.
To come out of their closet and disclose their identity is a difficult task for any transgender. Kiran said ‘Disclosing our identity is like getting our freedom. But it isn’t as simple as it may sound.’
An alumnus of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College under Delhi University, Noori said: ‘I couldn’t disclose my identity when I use to study in DU. I was very afraid. Every moment I had to regulate my actions, my body movements and my voice so that nobody would recognise me. People around me doubted my identity and used to say you are different from us but I always denied it.’
A graduate in Hindi, 27-year-old Noori, said it used to be a difficult struggle to attend college. ‘People around me always use to make fun of me. I became an amusing toy for many. Moreover, I used to feel suffocated and depressed. I couldn’t talk about my real feelings or problems with anybody. And, since class strength was generally 40-50 students, so teachers never noticed. They just use to take lecture and go. And to avoid any more trouble, I never use to go to teachers for queries or any help. So, in such situations, one feel helpless and dejected as they can’t even seek help from someone,’ Noori said.
Not only the college but even commuting was an issue and still remains to be a problem. ‘Since there is no metro connectivity from my place, so I have to take buses. In bus, I am assaulted every now and then. If we are discouraged and attacked by others at every step, then how will we come out and study? How will we manage to do well in studies when we are faced with such harassment ?’ asks Noori.
After completing her graduation, Noori went on to pursue her post graduation in Hindi from IGNOU. ‘I can no longer hide my identity and with me being a transgender, I couldn’t go to college anymore,’ said Noori. Just giving admission to a transgender student doesn’t complete the task. ‘Are there separate toilets for them? The infrastructure needs to be upgraded. Also, students and teachers have to be sensitised towards them . If there is any problem, is there any police official who will look into it? What is the guarantee that they wont be shunned away?’ said Rudrani Chettri, a transgender activist. Though DU has made efforts to include them in the mainstream, the university hasn’t taken any significant steps for the same. ‘We have asked all the gender sensitising committees in colleges to spread awareness about the same and sensitise students. As such no infrastructure or any other development has taken place. We will see what can we done. It will take time,’ said Malay Neerav, joint dean Students’ Welfare and media coordinator, DU.
Another concern that is rising amongst trangenders is who will give them jobs? ‘I agree education plays an important. Because I was educated, I could choose a better career option for myself than prostitution or begging. Education will empower our community without any doubt. But the challenge remains in job sector. Is there any job guarantee? Even after having post graduation qualifications, I could only get a job in an NGO. No private sector company will hire us. The government sector also doesn’t seem to be too keen. One of the important aspects of education for us is to become financially independent. But if we are not able to achieve that, then less people will come out of their closet to study. Moreover, since our community members belongs from economically backward families or some leave with their ‘gurus’, we have financial constraint. More fellowships and scholarships should be given to our community so that education doesn’t become a burden,’ said Noori, who is currently working as a counsellor with Mitr Trust.
The university has surely come a long way, still there is a lot of ground to cover. ‘The most important need is to make transgenders feel safe. ‘The sensitisation should start at school level. We need to sensitise children towards the transgender community from beginning. Through that change will come more effectively,’ said Kiran.
‘If anybody from my community decides to study in college and wants to attend classes regularly, then they have to be mentally very strong. They have to put all their emotions and other problems aside and then study in college. Though the university has finally accepted our identity, still fear over our security looms. How will I concentrate on my studies, when I will be constantly bothered about discrimination in the college or will be seen as some new element? I don’t think every student and teacher has accepted us,’ said Kiran, a transgender who is currently working with an NGO. She has studied till 12th standard and says if she decides to study further, it will be through correspondence.
To come out of their closet and disclose their identity is a difficult task for any transgender. Kiran said ‘Disclosing our identity is like getting our freedom. But it isn’t as simple as it may sound.’
An alumnus of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College under Delhi University, Noori said: ‘I couldn’t disclose my identity when I use to study in DU. I was very afraid. Every moment I had to regulate my actions, my body movements and my voice so that nobody would recognise me. People around me doubted my identity and used to say you are different from us but I always denied it.’
A graduate in Hindi, 27-year-old Noori, said it used to be a difficult struggle to attend college. ‘People around me always use to make fun of me. I became an amusing toy for many. Moreover, I used to feel suffocated and depressed. I couldn’t talk about my real feelings or problems with anybody. And, since class strength was generally 40-50 students, so teachers never noticed. They just use to take lecture and go. And to avoid any more trouble, I never use to go to teachers for queries or any help. So, in such situations, one feel helpless and dejected as they can’t even seek help from someone,’ Noori said.
Not only the college but even commuting was an issue and still remains to be a problem. ‘Since there is no metro connectivity from my place, so I have to take buses. In bus, I am assaulted every now and then. If we are discouraged and attacked by others at every step, then how will we come out and study? How will we manage to do well in studies when we are faced with such harassment ?’ asks Noori.
After completing her graduation, Noori went on to pursue her post graduation in Hindi from IGNOU. ‘I can no longer hide my identity and with me being a transgender, I couldn’t go to college anymore,’ said Noori. Just giving admission to a transgender student doesn’t complete the task. ‘Are there separate toilets for them? The infrastructure needs to be upgraded. Also, students and teachers have to be sensitised towards them . If there is any problem, is there any police official who will look into it? What is the guarantee that they wont be shunned away?’ said Rudrani Chettri, a transgender activist. Though DU has made efforts to include them in the mainstream, the university hasn’t taken any significant steps for the same. ‘We have asked all the gender sensitising committees in colleges to spread awareness about the same and sensitise students. As such no infrastructure or any other development has taken place. We will see what can we done. It will take time,’ said Malay Neerav, joint dean Students’ Welfare and media coordinator, DU.
Another concern that is rising amongst trangenders is who will give them jobs? ‘I agree education plays an important. Because I was educated, I could choose a better career option for myself than prostitution or begging. Education will empower our community without any doubt. But the challenge remains in job sector. Is there any job guarantee? Even after having post graduation qualifications, I could only get a job in an NGO. No private sector company will hire us. The government sector also doesn’t seem to be too keen. One of the important aspects of education for us is to become financially independent. But if we are not able to achieve that, then less people will come out of their closet to study. Moreover, since our community members belongs from economically backward families or some leave with their ‘gurus’, we have financial constraint. More fellowships and scholarships should be given to our community so that education doesn’t become a burden,’ said Noori, who is currently working as a counsellor with Mitr Trust.
The university has surely come a long way, still there is a lot of ground to cover. ‘The most important need is to make transgenders feel safe. ‘The sensitisation should start at school level. We need to sensitise children towards the transgender community from beginning. Through that change will come more effectively,’ said Kiran.
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