The Uttarakhand High Court on Friday has asked the state government to provide reservation for transgender people in government jobs and educational institutions. The state government has been given six months time to implement the decision. In addition to this, the government has also been directed to build separate toilets for them at public places.
The court observed that transgenders “often face severe and pervasive discrimination within the society” and said, “they (the transgender community) have an absolute right, as enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, to maintain privacy and to live with dignity.”
The order came after two petitioners from the transgender community filed a petition seeking protection of their lives and liberty. The Dehradun SSP has been directed by the bench comprising of Acting Chief Justice Rajiv Sharma and Justice Manoj Tiwari to provide security to the two petitioners. The bench has also directed the government to form a welfare board for transgenders which includes a person from the community. The high court also issued directions to the district administration to ensure registration of all transgenders, and to make sure that no discrimination happens with community members and their children
We have reported earlier today that the Uttarakhand High Court has asked the Centre to implement a strict ban on pornographic websites after taking Suo Motu cognisance of a recent gang rape of a school student in Dehradun by her fellow students.