Kerala HC backs transsexuals in NCC
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Kochi:02.12.2020
The world has progressed and the central government cannot remain in the 19th century, the Kerala high court remarked while considering a transsexual student’s plea challenging exclusion from National Cadet Corps (NCC). Considering a petition filed by Hina Haneefa, justice Devan Ramachandran told the counsel representing NCC, “The world has progressed, you cannot remain in the 19th century.” The transsexual has challenged section 6 of the National Cadet Corps Act, 1948 that allows only males or females to enroll as NCC cadets.
The court’s remark came after NCC’s counsel submitted that refusal of enrollment of the petitioner does not amount to discrimination. The counsel sought time to file an affidavit explaining the stance.
Responding to the submission, the court said the stance that the central government is taking is unfortunate. There certainly are three genders – male, female, and transsexual, the court said. The court also noted that the petitioner has decided to become a woman and has undergone the surgery too. NCC can admit her as a woman, the court suggested.
Full report on www.toi.in
Times View
One of the benchmarks of a modern and progressive state lies in the way it treats its minorities. Transgenders are sexual minorities. They are often socially marginalized and excluded from activities that others take for granted. Their inclusion in the NCC would be a mini-milestone in efforts to give them
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