The Struggle for Dignity and Political Representation for Gender Minorities in India
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Indian Polity and Governance (Fundamental Rights - Articles 14, 15, 19, 21; Key Legislations - Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019; Landmark Judgments - NALSA v. Union of India).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 1 (Society): Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India; Role of women and women's organization; Social empowerment.
General Studies Paper 2 (Social Justice & Governance): Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population...and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
Essay: Topics on Social Justice, Inclusion, Diversity, and Rights of Marginalized Communities.
Key Highlights from the News
Gender minorities, especially transgender individuals in India, despite being legally promised rights, face significant discrimination and systemic exclusion in real life.
Government-declared hollow quotas often remain on paper and become inaccessible due to bureaucratic hurdles and social prejudices.
They face significant discrimination even in basic matters such as education, employment, and housing.
To find a real solution to these problems, policies must be done "with" them, not "for" them, by including them.
The most important thing for this is to ensure political representation for gender minorities in Parliament, Legislative Assemblies, and local bodies. The article argues that this is not merely a symbolic measure, but a fundamental cornerstone of justice.
The greatness of a society is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable sections.
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