Ganga Kumari becomes first transgender to be appointed in Rajasthan Police

NEW DELHI,Nov 14: She could have become the country’s first transgender to join the police force, but fate had other plans for 24-year-old Ganga Kumari. Following a protracted two-year battle in the Rajasthan High Court, Kumari became the first transgender to be inducted into Rajasthan Police on Tuesday.
The Rajasthan High Court on Monday had directed the police department to appoint Ganga Kumari as a constable, after officials denied her a post due to her gender and reported lack of clarity of rules in 2015. Terming it a case of “gender bias”, Justice Dinesh Mehta asked the force to appoint Kumari within six weeks from the date of the order along with the notional benefits from year 2015.
The resident of Raniwara in Jalore district of Rajasthan, she was selected in the police recruitment examination for constables in 2013. However, her appointment was held up following the medical examination, which brought to the recruiters’ notice that she was a eunuch.
Kumari, then, approached the High Court stating that despite being eligible, the Jalore police refused to clear her appointment. The Supreme Court, in April 2015, had acknowledged transgenders as ‘third gender’ that is neither male nor female.
Her counsel Rituraj Singh said it was for the first time that a eunuch participated in police recruitment exams and stood successful. “But given the rules for appointment, the department was in confusion, and in spite of passing the examination, Kumari was not appointed as constable,” he said.
Given the disclosure in the medical examination, the Jalore police had sent the case to Jodhpur range IGP, who further sent it to the police headquarters in July, 2015. “The police officers then transferred the file to the home department, where it has been lying stuck since,” Singh said.PTI
NEW DELHI,Nov 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ramnath Kovind were among the host of leaders who paid tributes to India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehruon his birth anniversary. PM Narendra Modi, who is in Manila to attend the India-ASEAN summit, tweeted, “Tributes to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on his birth anniversary.”
Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu on Twitter said, “Wish the nation on the occasion of Birth Anniversary of first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, today. Also wish all the children on the happy occasion of Children’s Day, today.”
In his Mann ki Baat on October 30, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had felicitated children and added, “Children are the emerging heroes in the creation of new India.” Today, Modi offered tributes to Nehru on his birth anniversary.
Former prime minister Manmohan Singh and former president Pranab Mukherjere also paid tributes to India’s first prime minister. Pranab Mukherjee tweeted, “Under the inspiration of Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Ji created a conducive atmosphere for the establishment of independent institutions which strengthened our parliamentary democracy. He shall always be our guiding star.”
“My respectful tributes to the great son of India and our First PM Pt. #JawaharlalNehru on his Jayanti. Ensuring Human Rights & Liberties to citizens will be the rightful homage to this charismatic leader and maker of Modern India,” Mukherjee said
Similarly, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wished children saying, “Lots of blessings and love to children on Children’s Day.”
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also said, “Today, India celebrates the birth anniversary of our first Prime Minister, Pandit #JawaharlalNehru. On this day, we also commemorate his love for children & vision to empower them with opportunities. His legacy continues to inspire us to build a better future for our children.”
Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu also tweeted, “Children are the future of our nation.We must work to nurture them, give them opportunities to excel. My greetings on the occasion of #ChildrensDay.”PTI