Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Sept 5: High Court today directed Government to conduct fresh census of transgenders in the State within a timeline specifying their geographical distribution so that they can be brought into mainstream.
The direction followed after the court was informed that as per 2011 census more than 4000 transgenders live in Kashmir which face marginalization and are disowned by their families.
He further submitted that from education to medical facilities, the transgender people are facing difficulties in getting themselves admitted as there is no option available on forms as third gender.
Hearing the PIL on transgenders, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Alok Aradhe remarked that transgenders are visible minority but yet are treated as invisible and said, “we are informed that no fresh census has been undertaken since 2011”.
It is unfortunate court said, that no such process has been taken from 2011. “We direct that census of transgender community be taken within a given timeline”, reads the order.
“The census must also include geographic distribution of transgenders population to address any marginalization so that they can be brought into mainstream”, court added.
The court while considering the issues faced by transgenders directed that steps must be taken by state authorities to ensure that transgenders don’t face marginalization.
The court said: “Steps taken by the respondents so far as to ensure the right to life of transgenders in view of Supreme court directions passed in a petition titled National Legal Services Authority Versus Union of India, 2014 have to be implemented and we further direct respondents to produce the form with the inclusion of third gender option before this bench so that the community of these people are entitled to education as well.
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