Transgenders granted recognition as third category by SC
NEW DELHI: In a significant judgement, the Supreme Court on Tuesday granted recognition to transgenders as third category of sex.While delivering its order, the apex court asked the Centre and state governments to provide medical facilities and introduce welfare schemes for transgenders.
Terming the transgenders as socially backward community, the SC bench comprising of Justice KS Radhakrishnan and Justice AK Sikri directed the governments both at Centre and state level to provide education facilities to transgenders.
Earlier the SC on 29th October, 2013 had reserved its judgment on the question of recognition of identity of transgender persons in India.The top court’s order comes on a petition seeking several directions from the court, including granting of equal rights and protection to transgender persons; inclusion of a third category in recording one’s sex/gender in identity documents like the election card, passport, driving license and ration card; and for admission in educational institutions, hospitals, access to toilets, amongst others.
The Division Bench was hearing a public interest litigation, National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) v. Union of India & Ors. [Writ Petition (Civil) No. 400 of 2012] filed in October, 2012.
