Project ‘Saahas’ was started in 2023 to provide legal empowerment to the transgender community and spread awareness about legal issues faced by them. In 2014, the Supreme Court of India had through National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India [“NALSA v. Union of India”] given legal recognition to transgender persons and acknowledged the State’s responsibility in refashioning the existing institutions to accommodate them into the mainstream. However, even after 10 years of that judgement, the rights of transgender persons remain recognized on paper but absent in practice.
Radio-Podcast on Transgender Rights with All India Radio
In 2023, the Legal Aid and Awareness Commitee [“LAAC“] conducted a radio podcast with Prasar Bharati’s All India Radio (Suryanagri Channel) to disseminate awareness about transgender rights. We brought to light the deep historical and mythological roots of the transgender community in India. The programme also delved into the legal framework surrounding the transgender community in India, emphasizing the rights and protections now in place. It expanded on their status in various domains such as education, employment, and political representation, shedding light on the progress made and the challenges that remain. In our final segment, we made a heartfelt appeal to our listeners. We encouraged them to cast aside their prejudices and, instead, embrace the transgender community with open hearts. This appeal was aimed at fostering a more inclusive and understanding society, where all individuals are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.
Workshop on Transgender Rights
LAAC also conducted a Legal Literacy Workshop on the Rights of Transgender Persons on 20th January 2024. The aim was to disseminate awareness about the legal rights and entitlements of transgender citizens as well as the Central and State-level Schemes and also understand the issues faced by them. The session was attended by transwomen and LGBTQIA+ persons in Jodhpur. The members discussed the rights of transgender persons under Part III of the Constitution of India, the Transgender Persons Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 and the rules made under the Act in 2020. The members were able to understand and empathize with multifarious problems that make up the quotidian lived realities of queer individuals.
The event led to the beginning of a conversation on transgender rights and issues, and allowed us to understand the issues being faced by the community: ranging from adoption rights of transgender persons, to lack of redressal mechanisms in cases of breach of their rights. Most recently, even after getting a voter ID card, transgender persons in Jodhpur could not cast their votes because of technical barriers. We want to understand these issues, provide the requisite legal support to them, and take up these issues with the relevant authorities.